Perceived ageism and suicidal ideation among Chinese older adults: the mediating role of rumination and self-perceived aging

Objective: To examine the impact of perceived ageism on suicidal ideation among Chinese older adults, and the chained mediating role of rumination and self-perceived aging therein. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 326 older adults using the Perceived Ageism Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire and Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale. Results: (1) Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations among perceived ageism, rumination, self-perceived aging, and suicidal ideation; (2) Rumination and self-perceived aging partially mediated and chain-mediated the relationship between perceived ageism and suicidal ideation among older adults. Conclusion: Perceived ageism not only directly increases the risk of suicidal ideation among older adults but also indirectly contributes to it by triggering rumination and reinforcing negative self-perceptions of aging. More importantly, rumination may lead individuals to internalize external ageist experiences, thereby fostering a more negative view of aging; together, these factors synergistically amplify the risk of suicidal ideation. These findings highlight the need for early psychological intervention to mitigate the impact of perceived ageism on suicidal ideation through the pathways of rumination and self-perceived aging.