Does PTSD moderate the relationship between social support and suicide risk in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans seeking mental health treatment?
OBJECTIVE
This study examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a potential moderating variable in the relationship between social support and elevated suicide risk in a sample of treatment-seeking Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans.


METHODS
As part of routine care, self-reported marital status, satisfaction with social networks, PTSD, and recent suicidality were assessed in Veterans (N=431) referred for mental health services at a large Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using this cross-sectional data sample to test predictions of diminished influence of social support on suicide risk in Veterans reporting PTSD.


RESULTS
Thirteen percent of Veterans were classified as being at elevated risk for suicide. Married Veterans were less likely to be at elevated suicide risk relative to unmarried Veterans and Veterans reporting greater satisfaction with their social networks were less likely to be at elevated risk relative to Veterans reporting lower satisfaction. Satisfaction with social networks was protective for suicide risk in PTSD and non-PTSD cases, but was significantly less protective for veterans reporting PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
Veterans who are married and Veterans who report greater satisfaction with social networks are less likely to endorse suicidal thoughts or behaviors suggestive of elevated suicide risk. However, the presence of PTSD may diminish the protective influence of social networks among treatment-seeking Veterans.
Jakupcak
Matthew
M
VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. matthew.jakupcak@va.gov
Vannoy
Steven
S
Imel
Zac
Z
Cook
Jessica W
JW
Fontana
Alan
A
Rosenheck
Robert
R
McFall
Miles
M
D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D057189:Checklist; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention