Situational stress and suicide attempt behavior in Army soldiers and veterans: Insights from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers‐Longitudinal Study

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionPrevention of suicide‐related behaviors is considered a top clinical priority within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. Despite previous literature attesting to the likely importance of situational stress as a key correlate of acute changes in suicide risk, longitudinal research into associations between situational stress and suicide‐related outcomes among military personnel has been relatively limited.MethodsThe current study examined associations between situational stress, recent suicide attempt, and future suicide attempt using data from 14,508 Army soldiers and recently discharged veterans enrolled in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers‐Longitudinal Studies (STARRS‐LS).ResultsRecent situational stress was more common among recently discharged veterans (vs. soldiers), those with a recent suicide attempt (vs. those without), and those with a subsequent suicide attempt (vs. those without). Job loss was more closely associated with suicide attempts among soldiers, whereas financial crisis, police contact, and death, illness, or injury of close others were more closely associated with suicide attempts among recently discharged veterans.ConclusionFindings further highlight situational stress as a salient risk factor for suicide‐related outcomes among military personnel, particularly among recently discharged veterans. Implications for screening and treatment of at‐risk military personnel are discussed.