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A sociological autopsy lens on older adult suicide in rural Australia: Addressing health, psychosocial factors and care practices at the intersection of policies and institutions

Author

Listed:
  • Fitzpatrick, Scott J.
  • Read, Donna
  • Brew, Bronwyn K.
  • Perkins, David

Abstract

This paper examines the interrelationship between suicide, health, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors in contributing to suicide in older adults in rural Australia. Drawing on a coronial dataset of suicide cases and a mixed methods sociological autopsy approach, our study integrated a quantitative analysis of 792 suicide cases with a qualitative analysis of medico-legal reports from 30 cases. The sociological autopsy provided novel insights into the entanglement of policy and service provision at the state-level with individual end-of-life decisions. Particular attention is drawn to age and gendered dimensions of suicide, especially in relation to health and social issues. The study showed a continuity between suicide and the patterning of an individual's life course, including experiences and consequences of inequality and marginality; a desire to meet culturally–normative ideals of autonomy; and a fragmented, under-funded, and intimidating social care system that offered limited options.

Suggested Citation

  • Fitzpatrick, Scott J. & Read, Donna & Brew, Bronwyn K. & Perkins, David, 2021. "A sociological autopsy lens on older adult suicide in rural Australia: Addressing health, psychosocial factors and care practices at the intersection of policies and institutions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:284:y:2021:i:c:s0277953621005281
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scourfield, Jonathan & Fincham, Ben & Langer, Susanne & Shiner, Michael, 2012. "Sociological autopsy: An integrated approach to the study of suicide in men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 466-473.
    2. Neda Delfani & Johan De Deken & Caroline Dewilde, 2015. "Poor because of low pensions or expensive housing? The combined impact of pension and housing systems on poverty among the elderly," European Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 260-284, July.
    3. Neda Delfani & Johan De Deken & Caroline Dewilde, 2015. "Poor because of low pensions or expensive housing? The combined impact of pension and housing systems on poverty among the elderly," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 260-284, July.
    4. van Wijngaarden, Els & Leget, Carlo & Goossensen, Anne, 2015. "Ready to give up on life: The lived experience of elderly people who feel life is completed and no longer worth living," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 257-264.
    5. Krieger, N., 2008. "Proximal, distal, and the politics of causation: What's level got to do with it?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(2), pages 221-230.
    6. Kieran Walsh & Thomas Scharf & Norah Keating, 2017. "Social exclusion of older persons: a scoping review and conceptual framework," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 81-98, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Siqin Wang & 6Mengxi Zhang & Xiao Huang & Tao Hu & Zhenlong Li & Qian Chayn Sun, 2022. "Urban-regional disparities in mental health signals in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study via Twitter data and machine learning models [An integrated blueprint for digital mental health services amidst COVID-19]," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 15(3), pages 663-682.

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