Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3898-0529

Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Amy Fiske

Committee Co-Chair

Barry Edelstein

Committee Member

Barry Edelstein

Committee Member

Julie Hicks Patrick

Committee Member

Chandra Reynolds

Abstract

Rates of suicide in older adults are higher than those found in the general United States population. A variety of risk factors unique to older adulthood contribute to these numbers. Greater value placed on one’s own autonomy is related to suicidal ideation in older adults, but no research has yet been done to examine the mechanisms underlying this relationship. As individuals age and functional impairment increases, older adults generally engage in compensatory primary control strategies (e.g., seeking help) but those who prioritize independence and self-directedness – i.e., place a high value on autonomy – engage in fewer compensatory primary control strategies. In turn, individuals who value autonomy may fail to achieve important goals, leading to hopelessness and suicidal ideation. The current study examined whether use of compensatory primary control strategies or severity of depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between value placed on autonomy and suicidal ideation, and whether functional impairment moderated these models. The study also investigated whether value placed on autonomy predicted severity of depressive symptoms in older adults and whether this relationship was moderated by level of functional impairment. Older adults (N = 419) completed an online survey with questions related to functional ability, value placed on autonomy, control strategy usage, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Results showed that compensatory primary control strategy usage and severity of depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between value placed on autonomy and suicidal ideation. Results also suggested that value placed on autonomy predicted severity of depressive symptoms. Unexpectedly, functional impairment did not moderate any of these relationships. Possible explanations for this outcome are discussed. Overall, findings suggest that non-engagement in compensatory strategies and presence of depressive symptoms may underlie why value placed on autonomy is related to suicidal ideation in older adults. Investigating usage of compensatory strategies will increase understanding of factors that will aid in the prevention of suicide in older adults.

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