Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
08:29
Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD
Published on: October 10, 2012
Risk factors for suicide in the Israeli army between the years 1992-2012: A case-control study.
L Shelef1, G Tomer2, L Tatsa-Laur3
1Psychology Branch, Israeli Air Force, Ramat Gan, Israel; Mental Health Department, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Summary
Suicide risk in the Israeli army is higher for males, Ethiopian soldiers, and those with low socioeconomic status or mild adjustment difficulties. Mild difficulties, not severe ones, increased suicide risk.
Area of Science:
- Military psychology
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Suicide is a significant concern in military populations.
- Previous research indicates young age, weapon access, and stress as risk factors.
- Additional factors specific to military service require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify additional risk factors for suicide among soldiers in the Israeli army.
- To assess the impact of socio-demographic and psychiatric variables on suicide risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Cases included soldiers who died by suicide (n=462).
- Controls comprised soldiers in active service without suicide (n=1,170,895).
Main Results:
- Male gender, Ethiopian origin, low socioeconomic status, and low adjustment difficulties were associated with increased suicide risk.
- In males, Cluster B Personality Disorder and lower motivation for combat units also increased risk.
- Conversely, severe adjustment difficulties and psychiatric diagnoses were associated with lower risk.
Conclusions:
- Mild adjustment difficulties, Ethiopian origin, and male gender are key risk factors for suicide in the Israeli military.
- Targeted monitoring and support for soldiers with these risk factors are crucial for suicide prevention.
- Efforts to de-stigmatize help-seeking are essential for military suicide prevention programs.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Surveys
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:20Actuarial Approach
The actuarial approach, a statistical method originally developed for life insurance risk assessment, is widely used to calculate survival rates in clinical and population studies. This method accounts for participants lost to follow-up or those who die from causes unrelated to the study, ensuring a more accurate representation of survival probabilities.
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...