Differentiating Individual Characteristics Associated with Suicidal Ideations, Plans, and Attempts among low-Income Veterans.

BACKGROUND

Low-income veterans are a group that are at high risk for suicidal behaviors and require clinical attention and research.

METHODS

This brief report analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 985 low-income veterans participating in the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study in 2021. The lifetime prevalence and correlates of three levels of suicidal behaviors were analyzed, including suicidal ideation (SI), having a suicidal plan (SP), and making a suicide attempt (SA).

RESULTS

In the sample, 17.6% reported any SI, 7.0% reported any SP, and 4.5% reported any SA. Multivariable analyses revealed that compared to veterans who only reported SI, those who reported SP had overall lower mental health functioning scores (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99). Compared to veterans who reported only SP, those who reported SA were two times more likely to be unmarried (aOR = 2.38, 95% = 1.09-5.30).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a few factors may be driving differences between veterans who engage in different levels of suicidal behaviors, and these factors may be important treatment targets.