title: Predictors of Suicidal Ideation Across Deployment: A Prospective Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Concurrent and prospective predictors of suicidal ideation were examined in a sample of 318 United States Air Force Security Forces across a 1-year deployment in Iraq and 6- to 9-month follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 294 male and 24 female Airmen ranging in age from 18 to 46 years, predominantly (67%) Caucasian. Measures included self-reports of postdeployment suicidal ideation, posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, alcohol use, combat experiences, relationship distress, social support, and postdeployment readjustment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Problem drinking before deployment prospectively predicted postdeployment suicidal ideation in univariate analyses. Depressive symptoms and problem drinking were significant independent predictors of postdeployment suicidal ideation. Findings demonstrated a ninefold increase in suicidal ideation among service members with even mild depressive symptoms if moderate problem drinking was also present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Predeployment problem drinking may serve as a modifiable target for early intervention of suicidal ideation. Findings illuminate the compound risk of comorbid depressive symptoms and moderate problem drinking in predicting suicidal ideation.
authors.affiliation: Wright State University.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cigrang
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balderrama-Durbin
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University.
authors.forename: Douglas K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
authors.forename: G Wayne
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Talcott
authors.affiliation: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
authors.forename: JoLyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tatum
authors.affiliation: Lackland Air Force Base.
authors.forename: Monty
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Lackland Air Force Base.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.affiliation: Lackland Air Force Base.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sonnek
authors.affiliation: New York University.
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Smith Slep
authors.affiliation: New York University.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Heyman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PTSD; alcohol misuse; depression; suicidal ideation; suicide