title: Is Cumulative Exposure to Suicide Attempts and Deaths a Risk Factor for Suicidal Behavior Among Firefighters? A Preliminary Study.
abstract: The association between cumulative exposure to suicide attempts and deaths and suicidal behavior was examined in a sample of 61 professional firefighters. On average, firefighters reported 13.1 (SD = 16.6) exposures over the course of their lifetime. Cumulative exposure to suicide attempts and deaths was positively correlated with suicidal behavior (r = .38, p = .004). Moreover, firefighters with 12+ exposures were more likely to screen positive for risk of suicidal behavior (OR = 7.885, p = .02). Additional research on the potential impact of cumulative exposure to suicide attempts and deaths on firefighters' health and safety is needed.
authors.affiliation: Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.|VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA.|Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan A
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7218-1005
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kimbrel
authors.affiliation: Baylor Scott & White Warriors Research Institute, Waco, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pennington
authors.affiliation: New York City Fire Department Counseling Services Unit, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cammarata
authors.affiliation: New York City Fire Department Counseling Services Unit, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leto
authors.affiliation: Boston Fire Department, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ostiguy
authors.affiliation: Baylor Scott & White Warriors Research Institute, Waco, TX, USA.|Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Suzy B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Gulliver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*