Premium
Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury and Borderline Personality Features as Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation Among Male Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Author(s) -
Cunningham Katherine C.,
Grossmann Jessica L.,
Seay Kathryn B.,
Dennis Paul A.,
Clancy Carolina P.,
Hertzberg Michael A.,
Berlin Kate,
Ruffin Rachel A.,
Dedert Eric A.,
Gratz Kim L.,
Calhoun Patrick S.,
Beckham Jean C.,
Kimbrel Nathan A.
Publication year - 2019
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.22369
Subject(s) - borderline personality disorder , suicidal ideation , psychiatry , clinical psychology , poison control , odds , injury prevention , suicide prevention , odds ratio , medicine , personality , risk factor , psychology , medical emergency , logistic regression , social psychology
Abstract U.S. veterans are at increased risk for suicide compared to their civilian counterparts and account for approximately 20% of all deaths by suicide. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality features (BPF) have each been associated with increased suicide risk. Additionally, emerging research suggests that nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) may be a unique risk factor for suicidal behavior. Archival data from 728 male veterans with a PTSD diagnosis who were receiving care through an outpatient Veterans Health Administration (VHA) specialty PTSD clinic were analyzed. Diagnosis of PTSD was based on a structured clinical interview administered by trained clinicians. A subscale of the Personality Assessment Inventory was used to assess BPF, and NSSI and suicidal ideation (SI) were assessed by self‐report. Findings revealed that NSSI (58.8%) and BPF (23.5%) were both relatively common in this sample of male veterans with PTSD. As expected, each condition was associated with significantly increased odds of experiencing SI compared to PTSD alone, odds ratios ( OR s) = 1.2–2.6. Moreover, co‐occurring PTSD, NSSI, and BPF were associated with significantly increased odds of experiencing SI compared with PTSD, OR = 5.68; comorbid PTSD and NSSI, OR = 2.57; and comorbid PTSD and BPF, OR = 2.13. The present findings provide new insight into the rates of NSSI and BPF among male veterans with PTSD and highlight the potential importance of these factors in suicide risk.