TY - JOUR
T1 - Veteran exposure to suicide
T2 - Prevalence and correlates
AU - Cerel, Julie
AU - Van De Venne, Judy G.
AU - Moore, Melinda M.
AU - Maple, Myfanwy J.
AU - Flaherty, Chris
AU - Brown, Margaret M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2015/7/1
Y1 - 2015/7/1
N2 - Background The aim of this study was to determine rates and consequences of suicide exposure in a veteran population and variables related to psychiatric morbidity. Methods 931 veterans from a random digit dial survey conducted July 2012-June 2013 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky was utilized to examine associations between suicide exposure and depression and anxiety. For those with lifetime suicide exposure, perceptions of closeness to the decedent and additional traumatic death exposure were also examined. Results Almost half of veterans (47.1%, n=434) reported lifetime exposure to suicide. Suicide-exposed individuals were almost twice as likely to have diagnosable depression (OR=1.92, CI=1.31-2.8) and more than twice as likely to have diagnosable anxiety (OR=2.37, CI=1.55-3.61). Suicide-exposed were also more likely than non-exposed to report suicide ideation (9.9% vs. 4.3%). Perceived closeness to decedent increased the odds of depression (OR=1.38, CI=1.12-1.69), anxiety (OR=1.51, CI=1.21-1.89) and PTSD (OR=1.65, CI=1.27-2.16) and more than doubled the odds of Prolonged Grief (OR=2.47, CI=1.60-3.83). A model examined time sequence of suicide and traumatic death exposure. Experiencing a suicide exposure first and subsequent traumatic death exposure in their military career almost quadrupled the odds of suicide ideation (OR=3.56, p=.01, CI=1.34-9.46). Limitations Major study limitations include use of only one US state and random digit dial response rate. Conclusions Suicide exposure confers psychiatric risks in veterans. Perceptions of closeness to decedents, which may extend beyond familial lines, may heighten these risks in the suicide exposed. Multiple exposures to suicide and traumatic death may lead to significant suicide risk.
AB - Background The aim of this study was to determine rates and consequences of suicide exposure in a veteran population and variables related to psychiatric morbidity. Methods 931 veterans from a random digit dial survey conducted July 2012-June 2013 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky was utilized to examine associations between suicide exposure and depression and anxiety. For those with lifetime suicide exposure, perceptions of closeness to the decedent and additional traumatic death exposure were also examined. Results Almost half of veterans (47.1%, n=434) reported lifetime exposure to suicide. Suicide-exposed individuals were almost twice as likely to have diagnosable depression (OR=1.92, CI=1.31-2.8) and more than twice as likely to have diagnosable anxiety (OR=2.37, CI=1.55-3.61). Suicide-exposed were also more likely than non-exposed to report suicide ideation (9.9% vs. 4.3%). Perceived closeness to decedent increased the odds of depression (OR=1.38, CI=1.12-1.69), anxiety (OR=1.51, CI=1.21-1.89) and PTSD (OR=1.65, CI=1.27-2.16) and more than doubled the odds of Prolonged Grief (OR=2.47, CI=1.60-3.83). A model examined time sequence of suicide and traumatic death exposure. Experiencing a suicide exposure first and subsequent traumatic death exposure in their military career almost quadrupled the odds of suicide ideation (OR=3.56, p=.01, CI=1.34-9.46). Limitations Major study limitations include use of only one US state and random digit dial response rate. Conclusions Suicide exposure confers psychiatric risks in veterans. Perceptions of closeness to decedents, which may extend beyond familial lines, may heighten these risks in the suicide exposed. Multiple exposures to suicide and traumatic death may lead to significant suicide risk.
KW - Exposure
KW - Suicide
KW - Veteran
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2015.03.017
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2015.03.017
M3 - Article
C2 - 25855617
AN - SCOPUS:84926156598
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 179
SP - 82
EP - 87
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
ER -