Factors associated with the recurrence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among depressed Veterans who have attempted suicide

ABSTRACT

The recurrence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours represent a common threat to the wellbeing and lives of people who attempt suicide. It is not clear whether suicide risk models reflect risk for multiple suicide attempts, especially in high-risk groups. Factors associated with the recurrence of suicidal ideation and attempts was assessed in 82 military Veterans who had attempted suicide. Participants completed clinical diagnostic interviews and self-reported assessments of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, depression severity, hopelessness and burdensomeness. Hopelessness, perceived burdensomeness and beliefs about suicide were associated with the recent recurrence of suicidal ideation among Veterans who attempted suicide. Beliefs about suicide, suicidal planning and help seeking following a suicide attempt were significantly associated with multiple suicide attempts. Suicide postvention interventions should target beliefs about suicide and adaptive help seeking in depressed military Veterans who have attempted suicide.

KEYWORDS:

• Suicide attempts
• suicidal ideation
• Veteran

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [redacted for double blind review]. The data are not publicly available because they contain information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of Mental Health: [Grant Number T32 MH 014592].

Notes on contributors

A. Athey

A. Athey, PhD is an Associate Behavioral Scientist with The RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on identifying risk pathways to suicide and other forms of injury death.

J. C. Overholser

J.C. Overholser, PhD is a Professor in the Case Western Reserve University Department of Psychological Sciences. His work focuses on depression, suicide, and the Socratic Method.

S.C. Hernandez

S.C. Hernadez, MA is a clinical psychology resident at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Centre. Her work focuses on healthy aging and risk for suicide among older adults.

J.A. Ridley

J.A. Ridley, PhD is the Assistant Chief of Psychology Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Centre and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology in the Case Western Reserve University Department of Psychological Sciences. Her research focuses on depression and suicide prevention in Veteran populations.