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Deliberate Self‐Harm and Suicidal Ideation Among Male Iraq/Afghanistan‐Era Veterans Seeking Treatment for PTSD
Author(s) -
Kimbrel Nathan A.,
Johnson Margaret E.,
Clancy Carolina,
Hertzberg Michael,
Collie Claire,
Van Voorhees Elizabeth E.,
Dennis Michelle F.,
Calhoun Patrick S.,
Beckham Jean C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21932
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , psychiatry , suicide prevention , poison control , injury prevention , population , occupational safety and health , medicine , human factors and ergonomics , clinical psychology , psychology , medical emergency , environmental health , pathology
Abstract The objectives of the present research were to examine the prevalence of deliberate self‐harm (DSH) among 214 U.S. male Iraq/Afghanistan‐era veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to evaluate the relationship between DSH and suicidal ideation within this population. Approximately 56.5% ( n = 121) reported engaging in DSH during their lifetime; 45.3% ( n = 97) reported engaging in DSH during the previous 2 weeks. As hypothesized, DSH was a significant correlate of suicidal ideation among male Iraq/Afghanistan‐era veterans, OR = 3.88, p < .001, along with PTSD symptom severity, OR = 1.03, p < .001, and combat exposure, OR = 0.96, p = .040. A follow‐up analysis identified burning oneself, OR = 17.14, p = .017, and hitting oneself, OR = 7.93, p < .001, as the specific DSH behaviors most strongly associated with suicidal ideation. Taken together, these findings suggest that DSH is quite prevalent among male Iraq/Afghanistan‐era veterans seeking treatment for PTSD and is associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation within this population. Routine assessment of DSH is recommended when working with male Iraq/Afghanistan veterans seeking treatment for PTSD.