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Predicting Suicide Risk in Trauma Exposed Veterans: The Role of Health Promoting Behaviors
Bryann B DeBeer1,2, Julie A Kittel1, Andrew Cook2,3
1Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, Texas, United States of America.
Health-promoting behaviors can reduce suicidal ideation in veterans with high post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Engaging in healthy behaviors may mitigate the link between PTSD severity and suicidal thoughts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Military Medicine
Background:
- High rates of PTSD and suicidal behavior affect veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
- Suicidal ideation is a significant risk factor for completed suicide.
- Health-promoting behaviors may influence the relationship between PTSD and suicidal ideation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if health-promoting behaviors moderate the association between PTSD severity and suicidal ideation in veterans.
- To examine the role of well-being-sustaining behaviors in mitigating suicidal ideation.
Main Methods:
- 108 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans participated.
- Measures included PTSD symptoms, trauma exposure, suicidal ideation, and health-promoting behaviors.
- Moderated regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesis.
Main Results:
- Both health-promoting behaviors (β = -.06, p = .001) and PTSD symptoms (β = .36, p < .001) were significantly related to suicidal ideation.
- A significant interaction between health-promoting behaviors and PTSD symptoms was found (β = -.09, p = .001).
- Among veterans with high PTSD severity, increased health-promoting behaviors correlated with decreased suicidal ideation.
Conclusions:
- Health-promoting behaviors show potential for reducing suicidal ideation in veterans with severe PTSD.
- Future research should explore health promotion interventions to decrease suicidal ideation in this population.
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