title: Suicidal ideation among National Guard troops deployed to Iraq: the association with postdeployment readjustment problems.
abstract: Despite well-documented postdeployment readjustment problems affecting veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF), few studies have explored the possible relationship of readjustment stressors to the recent increase in military suicide. This study examined associations between suicidal ideation and postdeployment readjustment problems using cross-sectional population-based survey data from 1665 National Guard members who recently returned from Iraq. The findings suggested that readjustment problems are widespread, with 45% of veterans endorsing one or more financial or family problems 3 months postdeployment. After adjusting for mental health and combat exposure, veterans with the highest number of readjustment stressors were at 5½ times greater risk of suicidal ideation than those with no stressors. In a psychiatrically impaired subsample, the high stressor group experienced a fourfold risk of suicide ideation compared with those with no stressors. The findings argue for suicide prevention efforts that more directly target readjustment problems in returning OEF/OIF veterans.
authors: Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Lyons, NJ 07939, USA. Anna.kline@va.gov
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Kline
authors: Donald S
authors: DS
authors: Ciccone
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Falca-Dodson
authors: Christopher M
authors: CM
authors: Black
authors: Miklos
authors: M
authors: Losonczy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult