Intimate Relationships Buffer Suicidality in National Guard Service Members: A Longitudinal Study

Objective Members of the U.S. military are at a high suicide risk. While studies have examined predictors of suicide in the U.S. military, more studies are needed which examine protective factors for suicide. Informed by the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study examined the strength of the in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Suicide & life-threatening behavior 2019-12, Vol.49 (6), p.1523-1540
Main Authors: Blow, Adrian J., Farero, Adam, Ganoczy, Dara, Walters, Heather, Valenstein, Marcia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders - psychology
Depression - psychology
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Mental depression
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Midwestern United States
Military personnel
Military Personnel - psychology
Military reserves
Personal relationships
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Suicide
Suicide - psychology
Suicides & suicide attempts
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective Members of the U.S. military are at a high suicide risk. While studies have examined predictors of suicide in the U.S. military, more studies are needed which examine protective factors for suicide. Informed by the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study examined the strength of the intimate relationship and its role as a buffer of suicidality in National Guard service members. Method A total of 712 National Guard residing in a Midwestern state, who had all recently returned home from a deployment, took part in this study and completed surveys at 6 and 12 months postdeployment. They were assessed on suicide risk, mental health (depression, post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety), and relationship satisfaction. Results Lower relationship satisfaction and more depressive symptoms at the 6‐month assessment were significantly related to greater suicide risk at 12 months. Each interaction between couple satisfaction and three mental health variables (PTSD, depression, and anxiety) at the 6‐month assessment was significantly associated with suicide risk at 12 months. Conclusions The strength of the intimate relationship serves as a buffer for suicide in National Guard service members who have PTSD, anxiety, or depression. Interventions that strengthen these intimate relationships could reduce suicide in service members.
ISSN:0363-0234
1943-278X
DOI:10.1111/sltb.12537