Disease Burden, Psychological Pain Dimension, and Suicidal Ideation Among Community‐Dwelling Older Adults During the Covid‐19 Pandemic

A Network Analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID6427014
AuthorsYuying Chen (0009-0007-2192-6485, Renmin University of China), Luofei Niu (0009-0001-5476-575X, Renmin University of China), Huanhuan Li (0009-0006-1538-3480, Renmin University of China, corresponding author), Yang Li (0000-0002-2835-6661, Renmin University of China), Ziyu Hao (0000-0001-5209-9856, Renmin University of China), Fang Sun (0000-0001-5115-8287, Renmin University of China), Shijie Wei (0000-0001-8312-1198, Renmin University of China)
EditorsMohammad Niroumand Sarvandani (0000-0001-9790-3908)
Year2025
Volume2025
Issue1
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1155/hsc/6655569
OpenAlexW7108978781
LanguageEN
References cited57

Background Empirical evidence suggests an upward trend in suicide rates among older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Older adults are facing multiple burdens of disease, preexisting physical conditions, and psychological distress, making them more vulnerable to suicide in the background of the pandemic. This study aimed to systematically explore the complex relationships among observed variables, with a focus on identifying the pivotal nodes that drive suicide ideation in older adults. Methods Using a combined cross‐sectional and longitudinal design, 505 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) were recruited at six‐month intervals from six communities in Beijing, China. The cross‐sectional network was based on a partial correlation matrix, while the longitudinal network was based on a regression matrix. Central factors were identified through the application of expected influence (EI) and out expected influence (out‐EI). Bootstrapping was employed to assess the stability of these network metrics. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation among older adults was 17.23% (95% CI: 13.93%–20.52%). Notably, pain avoidance exhibited the strongest positive edge weight with suicidal ideation in the cross‐sectional network. Other psychological and biosocial factors demonstrated weaker edge weights in their associations with suicidal ideation. Painful feelings and pain avoidance emerged as the two most central nodes with the highest EI. Results from the longitudinal network demonstrated low stability. Conclusion During the COVID‐19 pandemic, psychological pain has emerged as a critical proximal factor driving suicidal ideation. While prioritizing disease prevention and providing basic medical security, screening for psychological pain in community‐dwelling older adults can serve as an effective tool for suicide risk assessment

Disease · Injury prevention · Longitudinal study · Poison control · Psychological pain · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Mental Health Research Topics · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies · Human Factors and Ergonomics