Sex differences in lifetime suicide attempts in retired older adults between 2000 and 2021 in France: results from six national surveys.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in the prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts in retired older adults aged between 65 and 75 years across six national surveys in France.

METHODS

This secondary data analysis draws on data from six cross-sectional surveys (2000, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2021) from the Health Barometer ran by Public Health France which included representative samples of the general population of metropolitan France. The current study sample included retired older adults aged 65 to 75 years across all surveys (n = 18,120). Prevalence differences and ratios between waves with corresponding 95% CI were reported. Analyses were stratified by sex. Multivariable analyses were also carried out to ascertain the independent association between sex, living alone, education, income level, and region of residence urbanicity in relation to the presence of a lifetime suicide attempt. Analyses were weighted according to sampling weights based on the probability of inclusion in the study to ensure that the sample was representative of the French general population.

RESULTS

There has been an increase in lifetime suicide attempts among retired older adults over the past two decades, with women consistently reporting a higher prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts than men over all time periods. Compared with the early 2000s, a stronger association between socio-demographic factors and lifetime suicide attempts was found two decades later.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings highlight the need for public health programs to focus on populations at risk of social exclusion, such as those living alone and those with low incomes. Future studies are needed to further confirm the increasing trends in lifetime suicide attempts and their associated factors.