title: Deliberate self-harm and suicidal ideation among male Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans seeking treatment for PTSD.
abstract: The objectives of the present research were to examine the prevalence of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among 214 U.S. male Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to evaluate the relationship between DSH and suicidal ideation within this population. Approximately 56.5% (n = 121) reported engaging in DSH during their lifetime; 45.3% (n = 97) reported engaging in DSH during the previous 2 weeks. As hypothesized, DSH was a significant correlate of suicidal ideation among male Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans, OR = 3.88, p < .001, along with PTSD symptom severity, OR = 1.03, p < .001, and combat exposure, OR = 0.96, p = .040. A follow-up analysis identified burning oneself, OR = 17.14, p = .017, and hitting oneself, OR = 7.93, p < .001, as the specific DSH behaviors most strongly associated with suicidal ideation. Taken together, these findings suggest that DSH is quite prevalent among male Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans seeking treatment for PTSD and is associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation within this population. Routine assessment of DSH is recommended when working with male Iraq/Afghanistan veterans seeking treatment for PTSD.
authors: Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; The VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Nathan A
authors: NA
authors: Kimbrel
authors: Margaret E
authors: ME
authors: Johnson
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Clancy
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hertzberg
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Collie
authors: Elizabeth E
authors: EE
authors: Van Voorhees
authors: Michelle F
authors: MF
authors: Dennis
authors: Patrick S
authors: PS
authors: Calhoun
authors: Jean C
authors: JC
authors: Beckham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult