Is Emotion Dysregulation Associated With Suicidal Ideation in Post 9/11 Veterans?

Emotion dysregulation, a risk factor for suicide ideation and attempts, has not been studied in U.S. veterans of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND). Data were collected through standardized telephone interviews and computer-based surveys from 278 OEF/OIF/OND veterans (70.6% male, 29.4% female). Bivariate analyses indicated that emotion dysregulation was associated with suicidal ideation during the past-three-months (r = 0.30, p < 0.05) and lifetime suicide attempts (r = 0.21, p < 0.05). When PTSD and depression symptoms were added to a sequential logistic regression model, emotion dysregulation was no longer significantly associated with ideation or attempt. Emotion dysregulation was associated with suicidal ideation and attempt; however, current distress had greater associations. Dysregulation is one of several factors in veteran suicide risk.