Social distance can be used to measure degrees of prejudice in people towards other members of a diverse social group. The objective of this study was to explore older adults’ perceptions of social distances toward older adults with depression, suicidal ideas, and suicide attempts.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Older adults were recruited by convenience from outpatient clinics of three hospitals in Taiwan.

A total of 327 older adults participated in this study. The mean scores of social distances toward older adults with depression, suicidal ideas, and suicide attempts were 20.8 (SD=4.2), 20.8 (SD=4.2), and 26.8 (SD=5.1), respectively. Participants had significantly higher scores on social distance toward older adults with suicide attempters than with depression (p<0.01) and suicidal ideas (p<0.01). Having them care for my family member was rated as the most disliked situation across three target groups. Participants’ social distances toward older adults with depression and suicidal ideas were influenced by their religious beliefs (p=0.02). Their social distance toward suicide attempters was influenced by their education level (p<0.01). Illiterates and college graduates tended to have significantly higher scores on social distance toward suicide attempters than junior high graduates did.

To the best of our knowledge, it was the first study to explore older adults’ perceptions of social distances toward older adults with depression, suicidal ideas, and suicide attempts. The results of this study can be used for further intervention of older adults to decrease prejudice against older adults with mental illness.