An international University of Helsinki study has found that adverse childhood circumstances increase the risk of suicidal ideation in later life.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, the study used AI algorithms to explore the long-term effects of early-life adversities on later mental health. The machine learning algorithms employed in the study covered over 46,000 individuals aged 50 or above and living in Europe and Israel.
"Those with childhood experiences of difficult relationships, poor health or economic hardship were more likely to report suicidal ideation in later life," says Doctoral Researcher Xu Zong of the Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health, adding:
"These early experiences appear to increase susceptibility to suicidal ideation even decades later."
The study is among the first large-scale surveys examining how several early-life adversities may affect suicidal thoughts in old age. Previous studies have linked childhood adversity with suicidal ideation in adolescence and adulthood.
The study assessed the relative significance of several early-life circumstances from six domains, including childhood socioeconomic status, exposure to war, housing conditions, social relationships, access to healthcare and others.
Key predictors of suicidal ideation in later life included the lack of childhood friendships, low paternal education level and poor living conditions.
Suicide prevention requires a lifespan approach
Suicidal thoughts are a serious public health problem in Finland and other European countries. They affect particularly older adults, who may also face an increasing burden of ill health and social isolation.
"Mental health support and suicide prevention shouldn't focus only on current risk factors - a lifespan approach is needed," says Xu.
"By identifying the difficulties people have had in their early life, the healthcare system can better tailor the right support for them."
The research results also demonstrate the need for more investment in child protection and public health services.
"Enhancing the childhood living environment could be among the most effective long-term strategies for reducing the burden of mental health problems and suicides in the ageing population," notes Xu.
The study is based on data from the international project Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE).
