title: Suicide Attempt Characteristics Among Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members Receiving Mental Health Services: A Pooled Data Analysis.
abstract: Past suicidal behaviors are among the strongest and most consistent predictors of eventual suicide and may be particularly salient in military suicide. The current study compared characteristics of suicide attempts in veterans (N= 746) and active-duty service members (N= 1,013) receiving treatment for acute suicide risk. Baseline data from six randomized controlled trials were pooled and analyzed using robust regression. Service members had greater odds of having attempted suicide relative to veterans, though there were no differences in number of attempts made. Service members also had higher rates of premilitary suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Veterans disproportionately attempted suicide by means of overdose. In veterans, combat deployment was associated with lower odds of lifetime suicide attempt, while history of NSSI was associated with greater attempt odds. Neither was significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempt in service members. Implications for suicide assessment and treatment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Villatte
authors.affiliation: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Stephen S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leitner
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Amanda H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kerbrat
authors.affiliation: Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Lora L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver VA Medical Center, and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gutierrez