Search

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom service members returning from deployment suffer from high rates of depression and report low levels of physical functioning compared to age-adjusted norms. Treatment for depression may be limited in this group and there are few data on whether Veterans receive medication treatment versus psychotherapy. We assessed rates of depression, physical functioning, and treatment with either medication or psychotherapy among recently returning service members.Methods: Study participants were recruited from National Guard soldiers in a Midwestern state (n = 1,448). Logistic regression modeling was used to examine associations between physical health and odds of receiving different types of mental health treatment for depressed individuals (n = 299).Results: 21% of soldiers reported significant depression and 44% of depressed service members reported poor physical health. Poorer physical health was associated with increased odds of any treatment (odds ratio: 1.27, confidence interval: 1.1-1.45) and medication treatment (odds ratio: 1.23, confidence interval: 1.08-1.40) but physical health was not associated with individual psychotherapy.Conclusions: Poor physical health is associated with increased likelihood of pharmacological but not individual psychotherapeutic treatment. Physical health problems may increase the need for depression care or increase contact with the medical system leading to higher levels of pharmacological treatment. Access to psychotherapy may need to be increased for Veterans with poor physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]