Nurses’ competencies to prevent suicide among older adults in community

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thailand has become a complete aging society, and older adults are at risk of mental health problems, particularly depression and suicide. Nurses in primary care settings play an important role in screening, monitoring, and coordinating with families and communities to prevent suicide among older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the situation and level of nurses’ roles in suicide prevention among older adults in the community and to explore nurses’ characteristics, contexts, and experiences in performing these roles.

METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used. The quantitative phase collected data from health databases in Chanthaburi Province and 34 nurses with experience in suicide prevention among older adults. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 15 nurses and was analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS: Most nurses reported a high level of role performance in suicide prevention (52.9%). The highest mean score was found in the domain of assessment, screening, and monitoring of older adults at risk of suicide (3.93 ± 0.55), while the lowest mean score was found in the domain of developing nursing practice through the use of empirical evidence, innovations, and technologies appropriate to the community context (3.12 ± 0.79). Qualitative findings identified five themes: 1) risk identification and monitoring, 2) psychological support and individual counseling, 3) family and community support systems, 4) mental health promotion in the community, and 5) limitations in applying evidence-based practice. Nurses integrated practical experience and community context in caring for older adults; however, barriers included workload, limited time, and access to appropriate evidence-based guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Nurses have an important role in preventing suicide among older adults through screening, counseling, and community collaboration. Developing context-appropriate practice tools, promoting evidence-based practice integrated with clinical experience, and strengthening family and community networks are recommended.