Self-compassion attenuates the association between PTSD severity and suicidal ideation severity among veterans

PTSD is associated with increased suicide risk. This study assessed whether higher levels of self-compassion attenuated this association in a sample of veterans with a recent suicide attempt (N = 968).

This was a secondary analysis from an observational study that surveyed veterans at baseline, 6- and 12-months following a suicide attempt. A mixed-effects linear regression model was used to estimate the associations between PTSD symptom severity, self-compassion, and their potential interaction with change in suicidal ideation severity. Modification of the association between PTSD and suicidal ideation was assessed between participants at baseline and between and within participants over time.

There was evidence of effect modification such that higher baseline self-compassion weakened the association between PTSD symptoms and suicide ideation. At baseline, for participants one standard deviation below the mean on self-compassion, the association between baseline PTSD symptom severity and suicidal ideation severity was stronger (b = 0.20) compared to those one standard deviation above the mean on self-compassion (b = 0.07). Within participants, baseline self-compassion attenuated the association between PTSD symptom severity and suicidal ideation severity, such that those one standard deviation above the mean on self-compassion at baseline demonstrated a weaker association between PTSD symptom severity and suicidal ideation severity at a later time event (b = 0.15) compared to those one standard deviation below the mean on self-compassion at baseline (b = 0.30).

Self-compassion warrants further exploration to determine its potential as a therapeutic target in patients with PTSD at risk for suicide.