Research paperPTSD symptoms and suicide risk in veterans: Serial indirect effects via depression and anger
Section snippets
Participants
Participants (N=545) in this IRB-approved study were recruited via online invitations distributed to veterans-related social media groups (e.g., military-related Facebook pages) and national organizations (e.g., Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] chapters). Participants completed online surveys that were administered through [www.surveymonkey.com]. The sample was primarily male (n=382; 70.1%), White (n=469; 86.1%), Army (n=209; 38.3%), served throughout multiple eras (n=240; 44.0%), received some
Results
Our bivariate hypothesis was supported, as all study variables were significantly associated in the predicted directions (see Table 2). With regard to our dependent variable, PTSD symptoms (r=.45, p<.001), depressive symptoms (r=.48, p<.001), anger (r=.38, p<.001), and internal hostility (r=.45, p<.001) were positively related to suicide risk. Depressive symptoms (r=.77, p<.001), anger (r=.70, p<.001), and internal hostility (r=.71, p<.001) were positively associated with PTSD symptoms. Anger (r
Discussion
In our sample of community veterans, we found, in support of hypotheses, that PTSD symptoms were associated with suicide risk through the following mechanisms: (i) through total effect of all variables (ii) indirectly via higher levels of depressive symptoms in both models; (iii) indirectly via higher levels of depressive symptoms and, sequentially, greater levels of internal hostility; and, (iv) indirectly via increased internal hostility. In other words, we found that PTSD, itself, was
Conclusions
In a sample of community veterans, we found that the relation between PTSD symptoms and suicide risk is influenced by the sequential associations between depression and anger. The experience of trauma may set in motion a cascade of events that includes disruptions to the ability to regulate cognitive (e.g., depression) and emotional (e.g., anger) functioning and which, consequently, contributes to vulnerability to suicidal behavior. Although future research on the interrelations between these
Conflicts of interest
None.
Acknowledgements
None.
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