Protective correlates of suicidality among veterans with histories of posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

BACKGROUND

Although several studies have identified risk factors for suicidal behaviors in general samples of Veterans, fewer studies have examined protective factors, particularly in high-risk samples. To address this gap, we examined protective correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) in a sample of Veterans with histories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD

Data were analyzed from a nationally representative sample of 3157 U.S. Veterans who completed the first wave of a web-based survey as part of the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS). Of this sample, 577 Veterans met criteria for history of PTSD, MDD or both.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships between protective factors (curiosity, resilience, purpose in life, dispositional gratitude, optimism, and community integration) and suicidal behaviors (SI and SA). The prevalence of any SI during the previous two weeks was 29.4% and the prevalence of lifetime SA was 28.0%. After adjusting for relevant sociodemographic and military characteristics, greater purpose in life, curiosity, and optimism were negatively associated with SI. None of the protective correlates were associated with SA.

LIMITATIONS

Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, conclusions about causality cannot be made. The assessment of suicidality also was limited to three self-report items.

CONCLUSION

Results provide a characterization of protective factors for suicidality, and may help inform prevention and treatment approaches designed to mitigate suicide risk among high-risk military Veterans.