title: The Interactive Effects of the Capability for Suicide and Major Depressive Episodes on Suicidal Behavior in a Military Sample.
abstract: Major depressive symptoms represent a significant risk for suicidal ideation and behavior. Given that suicide is fearsome, the interpersonal theory of suicide proposes that individuals who engage in suicidal behavior possess not only the desire to die, but also the acquired capability (AC) for suicide. This study examined whether major depressive episodes (MDEs) may be particularly relevant to suicidal behavior when considered in the context of AC. History of MDEs, AC, and suicide attempt history were examined in a large (n=3,377) sample of military members. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. Results indicated that among individuals with high AC, the number of MDEs was significantly, positively associated with number of previous suicide attempts; MDEs were not significantly related to suicide attempt history among individuals with low AC. Findings held in the presence of robust covariates associated with suicidal behavior. Findings suggest that a history of MDEs alone may not indicate severe suicide risk - increased AC for suicide appears necessary for increased suicide risk. Implications for suicide treatment and prevention in military personnel are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Podlogar
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hagan
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Buchman-Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chiurliza
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hames
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: Office of the Surgeon General, Defense Health Headquarters, 7700 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042.
authors.forename: Ltc Ingrid C
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Joiner
keywords: acquired capability for suicide; major depressive episodes; military; suicide
references.citation: Sleep Med. 2001 Jul;2(4):297-307
references.pmid: 11438246
references.citation: Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Oct;19(10):757-60
references.pmid: 19628411
references.citation: J Affect Disord. 2011 Mar;129(1-3):301-7
references.pmid: 20719393
references.citation: Psychol Assess. 2012 Mar;24(1):197-215
references.pmid: 21928908
references.citation: Mil Med. 2012 Aug;177(8 Suppl):47-59
references.pmid: 22953441
references.citation: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999 Jul;56(7):617-26
references.pmid: 10401507
references.citation: Am J Psychiatry. 1994 Oct;151(10):1423-9
references.pmid: 8092336
references.citation: J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008 Feb;76(1):72-83
references.pmid: 18229985
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2012 Aug;42(4):405-15
references.pmid: 22646731
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2004 Spring;34(1):66-76
references.pmid: 15106889
references.citation: Sleep. 2011 May 01;34(5):601-8
references.pmid: 21532953
references.citation: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1994 Oct;62(5):1000-8
references.pmid: 7806708
references.citation: Psychol Assess. 2014 Mar;26(1):115-26
references.pmid: 24274043
references.citation: J Clin Child Psychol. 2000 Sep;29(3):372-82
references.pmid: 10969421
references.citation: Psychiatry Res. 2013 Apr 30;206(2-3):246-55
references.pmid: 23219104
references.citation: Psychol Med. 2015 Mar;45(4):717-26
references.pmid: 25359554
references.citation: Int J Clin Pract. 2013 Dec;67(12):1311-6
references.pmid: 24246209
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2010 Jun;40(3):266-75
references.pmid: 20560748
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2014 Feb;44(1):1-5
references.pmid: 24313594
references.citation: J Pers Assess. 2011 Nov;93(6):597-604
references.pmid: 21999383
references.citation: JAMA Psychiatry. 2014 May;71(5):493-503
references.pmid: 24590048
references.citation: Epidemiol Rev. 2008;30:133-54
references.pmid: 18653727
references.citation: JAMA. 2009 Mar 18;301(11):1111, 1113
references.pmid: 19293405
references.citation: JAMA. 2013 Aug 7;310(5):496-506
references.pmid: 23925620
references.citation: J Clin Psychol. 2010 Oct;66(10):1044-56
references.pmid: 20821797
references.citation: Mol Psychiatry. 2010 Aug;15(8):868-76
references.pmid: 19337207
references.citation: Clin Psychol Rev. 2010 Apr;30(3):298-307
references.pmid: 20051309
references.citation: Arch Suicide Res. 2008;12(4):309-26
references.pmid: 18828034
references.citation: Psychiatry. 2013 Summer;76(2):97-125
references.pmid: 23631542
references.citation: Depress Anxiety. 2010 Sep;27(9):871-7
references.pmid: 20821802
references.citation: Mil Med. 2007 Feb;172(2):157-61
references.pmid: 17357770
references.citation: Psychol Rev. 2010 Apr;117(2):575-600
references.pmid: 20438238
references.citation: Psychol Assess. 2015 Mar;27(1):82-9
references.pmid: 25285716
references.citation: Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2013 Dec;22(4):267-75
references.pmid: 24318217
references.citation: J Clin Psychol. 2011 Oct;67(10):981-92
references.pmid: 20715022
references.citation: Psychiatry Res. 2011 Oct 30;189(3):362-7
references.pmid: 21868104
references.citation: Behav Res Ther. 2002 Apr;40(4):471-81
references.pmid: 12008659