Association between neurocognitive functioning and suicide attempts in U.S. Army Soldiers

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Military Health

Background:

• Suicide is a significant public health concern, especially within military populations.
• Identifying objective predictors of suicidal behavior is crucial for prevention efforts.
• This study investigates the link between neurocognitive function and suicide attempts (SA) in U.S. Army personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between neurocognitive performance and history of suicide attempts (SA) before and after enlistment.
• To identify specific neurocognitive domains that may predict suicidal behavior in soldiers.

Main Methods:

• A large cohort of U.S. Army Soldiers (N=38,507) completed neurocognitive assessments and questionnaires during Basic Combat Training.
• A subset (n=6216) completed a follow-up survey 3-7 years later to assess lifetime SA.
• Regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between neurocognitive measures and SA, controlling for demographic variables.

Main Results:

• Poorer impulse control and faster emotion recognition were associated with lifetime SA at baseline.
• Poorer impulse control was also a significant predictor of new-onset SA at follow-up.
• While associations were significant, effect sizes were small, suggesting limited clinical predictive utility.

Conclusions:

• Impulsivity emerged as the strongest neurocognitive predictor of both past and future suicide attempts in this large sample of Army Soldiers.
• Neurocognitive factors, especially impulse control, are implicated in suicidal behavior among military personnel.
• Further research is needed to explore the clinical applicability of these findings for suicide prevention strategies.