Page 12 - Intuition, Imagination and Innovation in Suicidology Conference. 13th Triple i | Koper · Slovenia | 31 May–1 June 2022
P. 12
h Triple i | Koper · Slovenia | 31 May–1 June 2022 Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, she al-
so participates in the pedagogical process.
Abstract. Loneliness is an important public health issue as it predicts a low
quality of life and leaves adverse mental and physical health consequences.
It is closely related to suicidal behaviour, although it is not entirely clear whe-
ther the connection goes both ways or just one. It is also unclear whether
these contradictory findings are related to the concept of loneliness, incon-
sistent definitions of loneliness or the different approaches to measuring lo-
neliness. The relationship between loneliness and suicidality also seems to
depend on the characteristics of the population studied. Loneliness has been
studied and confirmed primarily as a risk factor for suicidality in adolescents
and older adults. As adolescents strive for autonomy and fulfilling contacts
with peers, unfulfilling contacts may lead to feelings of loneliness and thus
contribute to the risk of suicidality. On the other hand, older adults face a va-
riety of losses that can lead to social isolation as well as loneliness. Loneliness
is also an independent predictor of reduced functionality and neurological
problems in later life. In addition, lonely older adults have as much as 45 hi-
gher risk of mortality than non-lonely individuals, which includes the risk of
suicide. According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, the feeling of thwar-
ted belongingness in interpersonal relationships is a psychologically painful
state resulting from an unmet fundamental need for connection. Previous
studies have shown that feelings of thwarted belongingness are associated
with loneliness, low social support and reduced meaning in life. Strengthe-
ning the sense of belonging can therefore be an important aspect of impro-
ving mental health and enhancing quality of life. By addressing loneliness
and social isolation with different approaches and interventions, we can ma-
ke an important contribution to reducing the risk of developing mental heal-
th problems as well as suicidality. In this lecture, we will give a brief overview
of loneliness in relation to suicidal behaviour in different age groups. Further,
we will also look at the specific characteristics of older adults and the factors
associated with loneliness and mortality in this population. Finally, we will
also present different approaches to reducing feelings of loneliness, the im-
pact of such approaches in the population of older adults and the results of
research on the impact of specific interventions conducted on a Slovenian
sample of older adults.
12
so participates in the pedagogical process.
Abstract. Loneliness is an important public health issue as it predicts a low
quality of life and leaves adverse mental and physical health consequences.
It is closely related to suicidal behaviour, although it is not entirely clear whe-
ther the connection goes both ways or just one. It is also unclear whether
these contradictory findings are related to the concept of loneliness, incon-
sistent definitions of loneliness or the different approaches to measuring lo-
neliness. The relationship between loneliness and suicidality also seems to
depend on the characteristics of the population studied. Loneliness has been
studied and confirmed primarily as a risk factor for suicidality in adolescents
and older adults. As adolescents strive for autonomy and fulfilling contacts
with peers, unfulfilling contacts may lead to feelings of loneliness and thus
contribute to the risk of suicidality. On the other hand, older adults face a va-
riety of losses that can lead to social isolation as well as loneliness. Loneliness
is also an independent predictor of reduced functionality and neurological
problems in later life. In addition, lonely older adults have as much as 45 hi-
gher risk of mortality than non-lonely individuals, which includes the risk of
suicide. According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, the feeling of thwar-
ted belongingness in interpersonal relationships is a psychologically painful
state resulting from an unmet fundamental need for connection. Previous
studies have shown that feelings of thwarted belongingness are associated
with loneliness, low social support and reduced meaning in life. Strengthe-
ning the sense of belonging can therefore be an important aspect of impro-
ving mental health and enhancing quality of life. By addressing loneliness
and social isolation with different approaches and interventions, we can ma-
ke an important contribution to reducing the risk of developing mental heal-
th problems as well as suicidality. In this lecture, we will give a brief overview
of loneliness in relation to suicidal behaviour in different age groups. Further,
we will also look at the specific characteristics of older adults and the factors
associated with loneliness and mortality in this population. Finally, we will
also present different approaches to reducing feelings of loneliness, the im-
pact of such approaches in the population of older adults and the results of
research on the impact of specific interventions conducted on a Slovenian
sample of older adults.
12
