Suicide resilience among operation enduring freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans: Sense of coherence as a moderator of the relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidality
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: With approximately 6,000 U.S. veteran deaths by suicide annually, the examination of protective factors against suicidality among returning veterans has received growing attention (DVA, 2010, January).This study examined the influence of one potential protective factor, a sense of coherence (SOC) as defined by Antonovsky (1979), on the relationship between combat distress and suicidality among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans.Data from 157 OEF/OIF combat veterans were collected in the primary care waiting area at a VA Medical Center.The average age in the sample was 35.67 (SD = 5.0) and was comprised of predominately White, single, and employed male veterans.Findings from correlation analyses found negative associations between SOC and suicidality, SOC and combat distress; as well as a positive association between combat distress and suicidality.No support for the associations between suicidality and time since active duty service, combat exposure and combat distress, or pre-deployment history of traumatic experiences and combat distress were found.CHAPTER I Suicide prevention efforts are a high priority within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA; Shekelle, Bagley & Munjas, 2009).Currently, a variety of preventative measures against suicide are implemented within the DVA, including increased research, hotlines, education and prevention programs, peer support, mandatory training programs, and outreach efforts.There are two research centers that focus on suicide prevention, the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 2 Center of Excellence in Canandaigua, New York and the VISN 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center in Denver, Colorado (Posey, 2009).All branches within the United States armed forces provide mandatory suicide prevention training programs (James & Kowalski, 1996;Jones et al., 2001;Kennedy, Cook, Poole, Brunson, & Jones, 2005;Knox, Litts, Talcott, Feig, & Caine, 2003;McDaniel, Rock, & Grigg, 1990).These programs typically involve educating veterans on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, crisis intervention support and emergency contact resources, access to mental health services, fostering cohesion among units, and life skills training.In addition to the aforementioned programs that target active military troops, suicide prevention efforts have been created within the DVA.These efforts include providing access to mental healthcare workers, hotlines, education on risk factors, and online resources to veterans.In collaboration with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the DVA founded the Veterans Crisis Line (formerly the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline).This is a free 24/7 service available to veterans by calling 1-800-273-TALK and dialing "1" to access the veteran hotline.An online resource for veterans and their families to chat with trained DVA counselors, called Veterans Chat, is also
Author: Kathleen M. Benson
Institution: University of Akron
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2521398892