A comparison of suicidal thinking and reasons for living among younger andolder adults

B cross-sectional design was used to examine age-related differences in sui cidal thinking and reasons for living among younger (n = 82; M age = 21) an d older (n = 82; M age = 68) adults. Volunteers anonymously completed tile Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation and the Reasons for Lining Inventory. Findi ngs indicated that older adults do not manifest suicidal ideation different ly than younger adults However, there does appear to be some age-related di fferences in reasons for not committing suicide. Compared to the younger gr oup, the older group reported moral objections and child-related concerns a s stronger reasons for not committing suicide. Bn implication is that the i dentification of specific reasons that deter individuals from committing su icide may be clinically useful and provide some assistance in suicide preve ntion efforts.