Unit Social Support, Sense of Coherence, PTSD, and Suicidal Ideation in Israeli Defense Forces Soldiers

Background: Military service is a significant stressor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal ideation (SI). The study aimed to examine direct and indirect associations between unit social support, sense of coherence (SOC), PTSD, and SI. Method: This cross-sectional study included 140 Israeli soldiers (M_age 20.41 [SD = 1.19]). Data were extracted from self-report questionnaires. Mediation analyses were used to evaluate direct and indirect associations between unit social support (DRRI-2), SOC (SOC-13), PTSD (PCL-5), and SIS (Beck Suicide Ideation Scale). Results: Correlational analyses revealed that unit social support and SOC were positively related to each other, while both were negatively associated with PTSD symptoms and SI. A positive relationship existed between PTSD symptoms and SI, confirming their connection. Path analyses revealed two main patterns: first, unit social support was negatively associated with SI, but this relationship worked via two pathways, one through its negative relationship with PTSD symptoms and one through its positive relationship with SOC. Second, SOC was negatively associated with SI, primarily by reducing PTSD symptoms. Limitations: This is a cross-sectional study with no experimental manipulation; causal inferences are limited. Conclusion: SOC is negatively related to PTSD and SI, a finding in-line with longitudinal studies, which reveal SOC's buffering effect on these two outcomes. This highlights the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing soldiers' SOC, which could contribute to mitigating suicidality.