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Suicidal ideation and social exchanges among at-risk veterans referred for a behavioral health assessment

Abstract

Purpose  

The current study examined the independent association between positive (e.g., emotional and instrumental support) and negative
(e.g., insensitive behavior, unwanted advice from others) social exchanges and suicidal ideation among veterans referred for
a behavioral health assessment.

Methods  

The sample included 606 veterans [mean age = 54.96 (SD = 14.96)] referred by primary care for a clinical mental health/substance
abuse (MH/SA) assessment following a positive MH/SA screen. Data on sociodemographics, MH/SA conditions (e.g., depression,
PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol abuse), the self-reported frequency of positive and negative social exchanges, and suicidal ideation
were extracted from clinical interviews and evaluated.

Results  

Veterans were primarily male, non-married, and had adequate financial resources, and approximately half were White. 74.4 and
20.3 % met criteria for a MH/SA condition and suicidal ideation, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed
that, adjusting for sociodemographics, physical functioning, and comorbid MH/SA conditions, veterans reporting more frequent
negative exchanges with network members were significantly more likely to report suicidal ideation. Positive exchanges, in
contrast, were not significantly related to the outcome. Inadequate finances and MH/SA conditions also were significantly
related to suicidal ideation.

Conclusions  

Findings highlight the value of exploring the quality of social exchanges among veterans in primary care who screen positive
for behavioral health issues, as such information has the potential to inform screening and intervention efforts aimed at
reducing suicidal ideation.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original Paper
  • Pages 1-11
  • DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0534-5
  • Authors
    • Shahrzad Mavandadi, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, B215, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
    • Karen S. Rook, Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, 5300 Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, Irvine, CA 92697-7085, USA
    • Jason T. Newsom, Institute on Aging, School of Community Health, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751, USA
    • David W. Oslin, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, B215, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
    • Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
    • Online ISSN 1433-9285
    • Print ISSN 0933-7954
Posted in: Journal Article Abstracts on 06/25/2012 | Link to this post on IFP |
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