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Veteran Participation in Intensive Suicide Research Protocols: No Evidence of Iatrogenic Effects
Author(s) -
Poindexter Erin K.,
Nazem Sarra,
Barnes Sean M.,
Hostetter Trisha A.,
Smith Phillip N.
Publication year - 2019
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.12444
Subject(s) - medicine , harm , suicide prevention , suicide attempt , confidence interval , poison control , psychiatry , human factors and ergonomics , occupational safety and health , injury prevention , clinical psychology , psychology , medical emergency , social psychology , pathology
Suicide research remains fraught with ethical and methodological issues, including researchers’ reservations about conducting intensive suicide research protocols due to potential iatrogenic effects and liability concerns. Such issues significantly impede scientific inquiry related to suicide. To date, no research has explored potential iatrogenic effects of intensive, nontreatment suicide research among Veterans. This study aimed to fill this gap. It was hypothesized that participation in suicide‐specific protocols would not significantly increase risk among Veterans. Veterans completed self‐reports, structured interviews, and rigorous suicide‐specific tasks (Study A, N = 34; Study B, N = 18; Study C, N = 119). Findings indicated there were no significant differences in pre‐ and postassessment suicide risk variables (all p s > .05). Estimated mean change for “urge to harm self” was −0.24 (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: −0.60, 0.13), −0.28 ( CI : −0.56, 0.01), and −0.01 ( CI : −0.09, 0.07) and “intent to harm self” was −0.18 (95% CI : −0.45, 0.10), 0 ( CI : −0.17, 0.17), and 0.01 ( CI : −0.04, 0.06) for Studies A, B, and C, respectively. Results indicated the respective protocols did not produce iatrogenic effects. The current findings are discussed with attention to safety‐monitoring techniques that may reduce iatrogenic effects and considerations for future researchers.