|
|||||
|
|
Investigating the effects of suicide exposure among a clinical sample of active duty service members |
|
| Authors: | Emily A Schmied Hee-Jin Jun Lisa H Glassman Nicole Pippard Kristen H Walter |
| Institution: | 1. School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA;2. School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA;3. Leidos, Inc., San Diego, California, USA Health and Behavioral Sciences Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;4. University of California, San Diego–San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program, Public Health, University of California, San Diego, California, USA |
| Abstract: | Suicide exposure warrants further investigation as a risk factor for suicide among military service members. This study aimed to examine associations among suicide exposure, suicidal ideation (SI), and psychological symptoms in a clinical sample of service members (N = 1,565, 64.4% suicide-exposed) and identify how one's relationship with the deceased impacts suicidality and psychological health in exposed individuals. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data was conducted. Generalized linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between suicide exposure and both current SI and psychological symptoms among all participants; the associations between suicide exposure characteristics and psychological symptoms were only examined among exposed individuals. Exposure was not significantly associated with higher SI, β = .007, SE = .16, p = .965, but was associated with PTSD, β = 1.60, SE = 0.49, p = .001; anxiety, β = .68, SE = .31, p = .031; and insomnia symptoms, β = .98, SE = .25, p < .001. Among participants who had been exposed, high/long impact of exposure was positively associated with SI, β = 0.94, SE = .26, p < .001, and psychological symptoms, PTSD: β = 2.32, SE = .77, p = .002; anxiety: β = 1.39, SE = .50, p = .005; insomnia: β = .96, SE = .39, p = .015. Results illustrate the significant issue of suicide exposure within the military and show consideration of suicide exposure as a potential risk factor for adverse psychological outcomes is warranted. |
| Keywords: | |