Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Suicidal ideation, and Stress: The Moderating Role of Dysfunctional and Recovery Cognitions

Abstract

Objective

Trauma and stressor-related behavioral health conditions are prevalent in military populations and have become a major public health concern in recent years. Individuals who commonly report suicidal ideation often have comorbid mental health diagnoses (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder; PTSD). However, the mechanisms associated with stress, suicidal ideation, and PTSD are unclear.

Method

The present study examined the moderating role of dysfunctional and recovery cognitions between (i) PTSD and suicidal ideation, and (ii) stress and suicidal ideation in two distinct samples. Sample 1 was composed of civilians and military personnel (N = 322). Sample 2 was composed of (N = 377) student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs).

Results

In Study 1, we found that low recovery cognitions at higher and moderate levels of PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation. High dysfunctional cognitions were significantly associated with suicidal ideation at higher levels of PTSD symptoms. In Study 2, we found no differences in any level of recovery cognitions at low and moderate stress levels with suicidal ideation. Higher levels of stress were associated with high dysfunctional cognitions and suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

Promoting higher levels of recovery cognitions and reducing dysfunctional cognitions are important in addressing stress, suicidal ideation, and comorbid conditions such as PTSD. Future research should focus on examining the clinical utility of the Dispositional Recovery and Dysfunction Inventory (DRDI) in other populations (i.e., firefighters and paramedics). This could contribute to efforts of suicide prevention and the promotion of the well-being of individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Promoting recovery cognitions may serve as a protective factor against stress.

• Dysfunctional cognitions contribute to worsening behavioral health conditions.

• Suicide prevention efforts should target dysfunctional and recovery cognitions.

Keywords:

• Dysfunction
• military
• PTSD
• recovery
• suicide

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data are available upon request to the corresponding author (BAM).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kimberly D. Gomes

Kimberly D. Gomes, Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.

Tyler L. Collette

Tyler L. Collette, Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA; Office of Research, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA; Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research, Kennesaw, GA, USA.

Michael Schlenk

Michael Schlenk, Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research, Kennesaw, GA, USA.

Jason Judkins

Jason Judkins, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA.

Israel Sanchez-Cardona

Israel Sanchez-Cardona, Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA; Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research, Kennesaw, GA, USA. Bianca Channer, Department of Social Work, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.

Bianca Channer

Israel Sanchez-Cardona, Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA; Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research, Kennesaw, GA, USA. Bianca Channer, Department of Social Work, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.

Patricia Ross

Patricia Ross, Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS), Atlanta, GA, USA.

George Fredrick

George Fredrick, Military and Veterans Services, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA.

Brian A. Moore

Brian A. Moore, Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA; Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research, Kennesaw, GA, USA.