Premium
Mental Disorders, Comorbidity, and Pre‐enlistment Suicidal Behavior Among New Soldiers in the U.S. Army: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS)
Author(s) -
Nock Matthew K.,
Ursano Robert J.,
Heeringa Steven G.,
Stein Murray B.,
Jain Sonia,
Raman Rema,
Sun Xiaoying,
Chiu Wai Tat,
Colpe Lisa J.,
Fullerton Carol S.,
Gilman Stephen E.,
Hwang Irving,
Naifeh James A.,
Rosellini Anthony J.,
Sampson Nancy A.,
Schoenbaum Michael,
Zaslavsky Alan M.,
Kessler Ronald C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/sltb.12153
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , psychiatry , psychology , suicide prevention , mental health , poison control , irritability , bipolar disorder , comorbidity , injury prevention , clinical psychology , suicide attempt , medicine , medical emergency , anxiety , cognition
We examined the associations between mental disorders and suicidal behavior (ideation, plans, and attempts) among new soldiers using data from the New Soldier Study ( NSS ) component of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS ; N = 38,507). Most new soldiers with a pre‐enlistment history of suicide attempt reported a prior mental disorder (59.0%). Each disorder examined was associated with increased odds of suicidal behavior ( OR s = 2.6–8.6). Only PTSD and disorders characterized by irritability and impulsive/aggressive behavior (i.e., bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder) predicted unplanned attempts among ideators. Mental disorders are important predictors of pre‐enlistment suicidal behavior among new soldiers and should figure prominently in suicide screening and prevention efforts.