Traumatic stress and suicidal ideation in Norwegian male peacekeepers.
To investigate the association between war zone stress exposure during international military operations and later suicidal ideation, a follow-up study of 1172 Norwegian male peacekeepers was conducted 7 years, on average, after redeployment. Suicidal ideation was reported in 6% of the veterans, while it was reported in 17% of the subsample of those who were prematurely repatriated. Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with service stress exposure level, even when background factors, repatriation status, negative life events, social support, alcohol consumption, and marital and occupational status were controlled for. Results indicate that the association between service stress exposure and suicidal ideation was mediated by posttraumatic stress symptoms and general mental health problems combined.
Thoresen
Siri
S
Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway. siri.thoresen@nkvts.unirand.no
Mehlum
Lars
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009664:Norway; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014480:United Nations; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult