Suicidal ideation and social exchanges among at-risk veterans referred for a behavioral health assessment.
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the independent association between positive (e.g., emotional and instrumental support) and negative (e.g., insensitive behavior, unwanted advice from others) social exchanges and suicidal ideation among veterans referred for a behavioral health assessment.


METHODS
The sample included 606 veterans [mean age = 54.96 (SD = 14.96)] referred by primary care for a clinical mental health/substance abuse (MH/SA) assessment following a positive MH/SA screen. Data on sociodemographics, MH/SA conditions (e.g., depression, PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol abuse), the self-reported frequency of positive and negative social exchanges, and suicidal ideation were extracted from clinical interviews and evaluated.


RESULTS
Veterans were primarily male, non-married, and had adequate financial resources, and approximately half were White. 74.4 and 20.3% met criteria for a MH/SA condition and suicidal ideation, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that, adjusting for sociodemographics, physical functioning, and comorbid MH/SA conditions, veterans reporting more frequent negative exchanges with network members were significantly more likely to report suicidal ideation. Positive exchanges, in contrast, were not significantly related to the outcome. Inadequate finances and MH/SA conditions also were significantly related to suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the value of exploring the quality of social exchanges among veterans in primary care who screen positive for behavioral health issues, as such information has the potential to inform screening and intervention efforts aimed at reducing suicidal ideation.
Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Shahrzad.Mavandadi@va.gov
Shahrzad
S
Mavandadi
Karen S
KS
Rook
Jason T
JT
Newsom
David W
DW
Oslin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*