Search

The capability for suicide is posited to facilitate the relatively rare transition from suicidal ideation to suicidal behavior, although the operational definition of the construct continues to evolve. The Three Step Theory proposes that capability is multifaceted and includes practical capability for suicide, defined as comfort with and access to lethal means. Empirical examinations of this construct are thus far limited. Two previous studies have examined the association between firearm storage and shooting experience and common measures of capability for suicide. This study expands the generalizability of previous findings by investigating the relationship between capability for suicide, firearm storage practices, and experience shooting a firearm in a sample of 300 American firearm owners. We found that individuals who store their firearms unsafely (loaded, in a non-secure location, or without a locking device) and who have greater experience shooting firearms have significantly higher capability for suicide. These findings extend the evidence for the construct of practical capability as it relates to firearms and highlight the need for firearm-specific means safety measures to prevent suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Studies examining the relationship between combat exposure and suicide risk typically focus on combat exposure overall, combining numerous different combat experiences. Our study expands upon prior research by examining the association between specific combat experiences and components of both suicidal desire and the capability for suicide. Method We hypothesized that most combat experiences would be associated with capability for suicide. Furthermore, we hypothesized that experiences that involved direct exposure to death and injury (e.g. personally witnessing the death or injury of other soldiers) would be associated with higher levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation. Participants were 400 service members drawn largely from the Army National Guard who had been deployed at least once and endorsed having experienced combat. Results Consistent with hypotheses, combat experiences involving direct exposure to injury or death exhibited a more pronounced pattern of associations with suicide risk factors than did other experiences. However, only a minority of combat experiences were associated with the capability for suicide. Discussion These results, while preliminary, indicate that different combat experiences are associated with different outcomes and that, in this sense, not all combat experiences are created equal with respect to suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life experiences and interpersonal relationships constitute risk or resilience factors in the development of psychopathology among National Guard (NG) personnel. Psychopathy and narcissism are related to these factors in civilians and may predispose NG personnel to certain experiences or influence their responses to these experiences. This study explored the relationship between psychopathic and narcissistic traits with pre-and post-deployment experiences, as well as military experiences on deployment among NG personnel (n = 504). All pathological traits were associated with poorer social support during and post-deployment and more negative relationships (e.g., bullying) within the military unit, while antisocial psychopathic traits were associated with experiencing stressful life events and having a greater number of combat experiences in a combat-exposed subsample (n = 254). Findings clarify the association of pathological traits to stress-related pathology and elucidate how psychopathy and narcissism relate to experiences of NG personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]