[Transactional model of suicidal behavior in the elderly].

General theories of suicidology are insufficient to explain the overproportional rate of suicidal behaviour in the elderly. The proposed transactional model represents a bio-psycho-social foundation of suicidal behavior in the elderly. The reciprocal interactions of biological, somatic, psychological and social factors in old age which may enhance suicidal behavior as a mode of problem-solving behavior are discussed.