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Udupa NS, Hanson J, Gutierrez PM, Mandel AA, Johnson SL, Kleiman E, Bryan CJ, Jobes DA, Joiner T. Uncontrollability of suicidal ideation adds incremental explanatory power in prediction of later suicidal ideation. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:2974-2985. [PMID: 37672631 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors are major public health concerns in the United States and are difficult to treat and predict. Risk factors that are incrementally informative are needed to improve prediction and inform prevention of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Uncontrollability of suicidal ideation, one parameter of suicidal ideation, is one such candidate. METHOD In the current study, we assessed the predictive power of uncontrollability of suicidal ideation, over and above overall suicidal ideation, for future suicidal ideation in a large sample of active-duty service members. A total of 1044 suicidal military service members completed baseline assessments, of whom 664 (63.6%) completed 3-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS While baseline overall suicidal ideation itself was the strongest predictor of future suicidal ideation, uncontrollability of suicidal ideation added some incremental explanatory power. CONCLUSION Further study of uncontrollability of suicidal thought is needed to elucidate its impact on suicidal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhila S Udupa
- Military Suicide Research Consortium, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Jetta Hanson
- Military Suicide Research Consortium, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Military Suicide Research Consortium, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Abby A Mandel
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, USA
| | - Sheri L Johnson
- Department of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Evan Kleiman
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Craig J Bryan
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - David A Jobes
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas Joiner
- Military Suicide Research Consortium, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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O'Connor SS, Johnson LL, Gutierrez PM, Singer J, Marcum JK, Pierson JT, Brown A, Muehler T, Allen C, Jobes DA. Three-year follow-up of suicide prevention-focused group therapy for veterans. Psychol Serv 2023; 20:66-73. [PMID: 34968124 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effects of a suicide prevention-focused group therapy for veterans recently discharged from an inpatient psychiatry setting following a suicidal crisis. There was interest in examining the impact of mechanisms of change identified in previous research on the group, including group cohesion, working alliance, and group sessions attended. Data were abstracted from the electronic medical record 3 years following completion of a previous study that involved the group therapy. A series of generalized linear and logistic mixed models were conducted to measure the associations between group cohesion, working alliance, session attendance, and health service utilization and suicide attempts. Thirty randomly selected veterans from the original sample completed a semistructured interview to discuss their experience in the group therapy. Study team members reviewed each transcription to identify themes related to veterans' experiences in the suicide prevention-focused group therapy. No suicides were observed in the 3-year follow-up period. When examining the full sample (N = 134), session attendance and inpatient hospitalization were not significantly associated but were positively associated after removing subjects who attended zero sessions (N = 93). Higher group cohesion was associated with a reduced likelihood of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and greater engagement in outpatient mental health services. Four themes emerged regarding veterans' experience in the group through an analysis of the semistructured interviews. Suicide prevention-focused group therapy among veteran service members was not associated with an elevated risk of mortality. Future research is needed to further elucidate mechanisms of change and moderators of response. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Abstract
The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) is one of the most used and empirically supported suicide risk assessment measures for behavioral health clinicians and researchers. However, the 19-item BSS is a relatively long measure and can take 5 to 10 minutes to administer. This study used Item Response Theory (IRT) techniques across two samples of mostly U.S. military service members to first identify (n1 = 1,899) and then validate (n2 = 757) an optimized set of the most informative BSS items. Results indicated that Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 15 provided a similar-shaped test information curve across the same range of the latent trait as the full-length BSS and showed reliable item functioning across participant characteristics. The sum score of these five items showed a linear score linkage with the full-scale score, ρ > 0.87, and was equally as sensitive as the full scale for prospectively predicting near-term suicidal behavior at 74% with a cut score ≥1 (equivalent to full-scale score ≥6). Results are consistent with those from civilian samples. In time- or length-limited assessments, using these five BSS items may improve administration efficiency over the full BSS, while maintaining classification sensitivity.This study suggests that summing Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 15 of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) is an acceptable approach for shortening the full-length measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Podlogar
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
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Gutierrez PM, Johnson L, Podlogar MC, Hagman S, Muehler TA, Hanson J, Pierson JT, Brown AA, O'Connor S. Pilot study of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality-Group. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:244-255. [PMID: 34780099 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Few evidence-based options exist for outpatient treatment of patients at risk of suicide, and to-date almost all research has focused on individually delivered psychotherapy. Group therapy for veterans at risk of suicide is a promising alternative. METHODS Thirty veterans receiving care at an urban Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the southern United States were randomized to either care as usual (CAU) or to CAU plus the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicide-Group (CAMS-G). Veterans were assessed prior to randomization to condition and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-randomization on a range of suicide-specific measures, burdensomeness, belonging, treatment satisfaction, and group cohesion. RESULTS Across measures and follow-up assessments, veterans in CAMS-G reported good satisfaction with the intervention, a sense of cohesion with other members of the group, and reduced symptom distress. Veterans in both conditions reported decreases in suicidal ideation and behavior, with CAMS-G participants potentially improving slightly faster. CONCLUSION This description of CAMS-G for veterans adds to the growing literature on suicide-specific interventions and supports the need for additional research to determine if wide-spread rollout is justifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Gutierrez
- Military Suicide Research Consortium, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, Colorado, USA.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lora Johnson
- Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Matthew C Podlogar
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, Colorado, USA.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stacy Hagman
- Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Tanner A Muehler
- Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jetta Hanson
- Military Suicide Research Consortium, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Gutierrez PM. Promising New Directions in Addressing the Whole Problem of Suicide. Psychiatry 2022; 85:334-335. [PMID: 36344472 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2022.2132772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Podlogar MC, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Past Levels of Mental Health Intervention and Current Nondisclosure of Suicide Risk Among Men Older Than Age 50. Assessment 2021; 29:1611-1621. [PMID: 34151586 DOI: 10.1177/10731911211023577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Suicide risk screening depends heavily on accurate patient self-report. However, past negative experiences with mental health care may contribute to intentional nondisclosure of suicide risk during screening. This study investigated among 282 men older than age 50 whether likelihood for current explicit risk nondisclosure was associated with previous highest level of mental health care received. This sample was selected post hoc out of a larger sample of participants from higher risk and lower help-seeking populations (i.e., military service members and veterans, men older than age 50, and lesbian gay bisexual, transgender, and queer young adults), however, the other groups were underpowered for analysis. Among these men, history of psychiatric hospitalization was significantly associated with likelihood for explicit nondisclosure of current suicide risk, while history of receiving only outpatient therapy for suicidal thoughts or behaviors was significantly associated with likelihood for full reporting of suicide risk. Severity of suicidal ideation and internalized stigma against mental illness were significant indirect contributors to the effect. Although causality could not be determined, results suggest that a potential cost to consider for psychiatric hospitalization may be future nondisclosure of suicide risk. Conversely, outpatient interventions that appropriately manage suicidal thoughts or behaviors may encourage future full reporting of suicide risk and improve screening detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Podlogar
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Shelef L, Rabbany JM, Gutierrez PM, Kedem R, Ben Yehuda A, Mann JJ, Yacobi A. The Role of Past Suicidal Behavior on Current Suicidality: A Retrospective Study in the Israeli Military. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:E649. [PMID: 33466594 PMCID: PMC7828732 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Past suicide attempts are a significant risk factor for future suicidality. Therefore, the present military-based study examined the past suicidal behavior of soldiers who recently made a severe suicide attempt. Our sample consisted of 65 active-duty soldiers (61.5% males), between the ages of 18 and 28 years old (M = 20.4, SD ± 1.3). The inclusion criterion was a recent severe suicide attempt, requiring at least a 24 h hospitalization. This sample was divided into two groups, according to previous suicidal behavior, namely whether their first suicide attempt was before or after enlistment (n = 25; 38.5% and n = 40; 61.5%, respectively). We then examined the lethality and intent of the recent event in regard to this division. Four measures were used to assess the subjects' suicidal characteristics: the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire, the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. No significant difference in the severity of the suicide attempts (either actual or potential severity) were found between those who had suicide attempts before enlistment and those who had their first attempt in the service. As a matter of fact, most of the suicide attempts that occurred for the first time during military service had used a violent method (58.3%, n = 21). Finally, using multivariate analyses, we found that current thoughts and behavior, rather than past suicidality, was the strongest predictor for the lethality of suicide attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Shelef
- Department of Health and Well-Being, IDF’s Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel;
| | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ron Kedem
- Statistican, Medical Corps-Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel;
| | - Ariel Ben Yehuda
- Department of Health and Well-Being, IDF’s Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel;
| | - J. John Mann
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Assaf Yacobi
- Beer Ya’akov-Ness Ziona Mental Health Medical Center, Beer Yaakov 70350, Israel;
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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Gutierrez PM, Joiner T, Hanson J, Avery K, Fender A, Harrison T, Kerns K, McGowan P, Stanley IH, Silva C, Rogers ML. Clinical utility of suicide behavior and ideation measures: Implications for military suicide risk assessment. Psychol Assess 2021; 33:1-13. [DOI: 10.1037/pas0000876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Chu C, Zuromski KL, Bernecker SL, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, Liu H, Naifeh JA, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Nock MK. A test of the interpersonal theory of suicide in a large, representative, retrospective and prospective study: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Behav Res Ther 2020; 132:103688. [PMID: 32731055 PMCID: PMC10351027 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The interpersonal theory of suicide hypothesizes that perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and hopelessness lead to active suicidal thoughts and individuals with active suicidal thoughts and elevated capability for suicide are most likely to attempt suicide. We retrospectively and prospectively tested this theory in a large sample of 7677 U.S. Army soldiers followed post-deployment for up to nine months. The interaction of perceived burdensomeness and hopelessness (OR = 2.59) was significantly associated with lifetime suicidal thoughts; however, the interactions of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness and of thwarted belongingness and hopelessness were not. Consistent with the theory, capability for suicide prospectively predicted suicide attempts during and following deployment (OR = 1.22); however, among soldiers reporting lifetime suicidal thoughts, capability did not predict attempts, only perceived burdensomeness did (OR = 1.36). Results supported some, but not all, theory hypotheses, suggesting that additional constructs may be needed to better identify the psychological factors that lead soldiers to attempt suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Kelly L Zuromski
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Howard Liu
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James A Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Murray B Stein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine & Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew K Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Buchman-Schmitt JM, Stanley IH, Gallyer AJ, Chu C, Gutierrez PM, Hanson JE, Joiner TE. Military Suicide Research Consortium common data elements: Bifactor analysis and longitudinal predictive ability of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts within a clinical sample. Psychol Assess 2020; 32:609-622. [PMID: 32250139 DOI: 10.1037/pas0000817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To enhance and standardize the assessment of suicidal self-directed violence (SDV) in military populations, the Military Suicide Research Consortium developed the Common Data Elements (CDEs). Previous research supported the CDEs as assessing a higher-order factor of suicidal SDV in military populations. The present study had two aims: 1) confirm the bifactor structure of the CDEs in a high-risk sample, and 2) assess the ability of the factorially derived suicidal SDV factor to predict suicide attempts and return to care for suicidal ideation over 3-month follow-up. Utilizing a sample of service members referred for a psychiatric evaluation (N = 1,044), the CDE structure was assessed with confirmatory bifactor modeling. Logistic regressions and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to assess the suicidal SDV risk factor's prediction of suicide attempts and return to care for suicidal ideation during follow-up (n = 758). Bifactor modeling suggested adequate fit for the overarching suicidal SDV risk factor. Logistic regressions supported the overarching suicidal SDV risk factor as a predictor of suicide attempts (OR = 4.07, p < .001) and return to care for suicidal ideation (OR = 2.81, p < .001) over follow-up. However, ROC analyses suggested that the model including the suicidal SDV risk factor was only significantly better at classifying suicide attempts over follow-up (not return to care for suicidal ideation) than the model that did not include it (AUC difference = 0.15, p < .001). Findings suggest that the shared variance assessed across CDEs better predicts future suicide attempts beyond any individual suicide-related constructs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
| | - Jetta E Hanson
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
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Bernecker SL, Zuromski KL, Curry JC, Kim JJ, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, Kessler RC, Nock MK, Rudd MD, Bryan CJ. Economic Evaluation of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Treatment as Usual for Suicidal US Army Soldiers. JAMA Psychiatry 2020; 77:256-264. [PMID: 31774485 PMCID: PMC6902192 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Brief cognitive behavioral therapy (BCBT) is a clinically effective intervention for reducing risk of suicide attempts among suicidal US Army soldiers. However, because specialized treatments can be resource intensive, more information is needed on costs and benefits of BCBT compared with existing treatments. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BCBT compared with treatment as usual for suicidal soldiers in the US Army. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A decision analytic model compared effects and costs of BCBT vs treatment as usual from a US Department of Defense (DoD) perspective. Model input data were drawn from epidemiologic data sets and a clinical trial among suicidal soldiers conducted from January 31, 2011, to April 3, 2014. Data were analyzed from July 3, 2018, to March 25, 2019. INTERVENTIONS The strategies compared were treatment as usual alone vs treatment as usual plus 12 individual BCBT sessions. Treatment as usual could include a range of pharmacologic and psychological treatment options. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Costs in 2017 US dollars, suicide attempts averted (self-directed behavior with intent to die, but with nonfatal outcome), suicide deaths averted, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, assuming a 2-year time horizon for treatment differences but including lifetime costs. RESULTS In the base-case analysis, BCBT was expected to avert approximately 23 to 25 more suicide attempts and 1 to 3 more suicide deaths per 100 patients treated than treatment as usual. Sensitivity analyses assuming a range of treatment effects showed BCBT to be cost saving in most scenarios. Using the federal discount rate, the DoD was estimated to save from $15 000 to $16 630 per patient with BCBT vs treatment as usual. In a worst-case scenario (ie, assuming the weakest plausible BCBT effect sizes), BCBT cost an additional $1910 to $2250 per patient compared with treatment as usual. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Results suggest BCBT may be a cost-saving intervention for suicidal active-duty soldiers. The costs of ensuring treatment fidelity would also need to be considered when assessing the implications of disseminating BCBT across the entire DoD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Bernecker
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kelly L. Zuromski
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Justin C. Curry
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Research and Development Directorate (J-9), Defense Health Agency, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Jane J. Kim
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Ronald C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - M. David Rudd
- National Center for Veterans Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City,Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Craig J. Bryan
- National Center for Veterans Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City,Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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Stanley IH, Day TN, Gallyer AJ, Shelef L, Kalla C, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Autism-related traits and suicide risk among active duty U.S. military service members. Psychol Serv 2020; 18:377-388. [PMID: 32105121 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Suicide rates within the U.S. military are elevated. The interpersonal theory of suicide, supported within military samples, suggests that social disconnectedness confers risk for suicide. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by symptoms-difficulties in social communication/interaction (SCI) and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs)-that contribute to social disconnectedness. To our knowledge, no study has examined ASD-related traits and suicide risk among active duty U.S. military service members. Participants included 292 active duty U.S. military service members (M [SD] age = 28.67 [7.40] years, 68.5% male, 78.1% White). The Autism Spectrum Quotient, Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 for Adults, Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Short Form, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire assessed for SCI difficulties, RRBs, suicidal symptoms, and interpersonal theory of suicide constructs (i.e., perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness), respectively. Elevated levels of SCI difficulties and RRBs were associated with increased odds of reporting suicidal thoughts and behaviors occurring since joining the military, controlling for the number of years of service and suicidal symptoms occurring prior to joining the military. Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness statistically accounted for the relationship between ASD-related traits and suicidal ideation occurring since joining the military; a rival mediator, emotion dysregulation, was not a significant mediator. Among active duty U.S. military service members, greater ASD-related traits were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts and behaviors occurring since joining the military. Clinical efforts targeting perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness might reduce suicide risk among military service members with elevated ASD-related traits. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
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Zuromski KL, Bernecker SL, Chu C, Wilks CR, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, Liu H, Naifeh JA, Nock MK, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Pre-deployment predictors of suicide attempt during and after combat deployment: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 121:214-221. [PMID: 31865211 PMCID: PMC6953717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deployment-related experiences might be risk factors for soldier suicides, in which case identification of vulnerable soldiers before deployment could inform preventive efforts. We investigated this possibility by using pre-deployment survey and administrative data in a sample of US Army soldiers to develop a risk model for suicide attempt (SA) during and shortly after deployment. METHODS Data came from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers Pre-Post Deployment Survey (PPDS). Soldiers completed a baseline survey shortly before deploying to Afghanistan in 2011-2012. Survey measures were used to predict SAs, defined using administrative and subsequent survey data, through 30 months after deployment. Models were built using penalized regression and ensemble machine learning methods. RESULTS Significant pre-deployment risk factors were history of traumatic brain injury, 9 + mental health treatment visits in the 12 months before deployment, young age, female, previously married, and low relationship quality. Cross-validated AUC of the best penalized and ensemble models were .75-.77. 21.3-40.4% of SAs occurred among the 5-10% of soldiers with highest predicted risk and positive predictive value (PPV) among these high-risk soldiers was 4.4-5.7%. CONCLUSIONS SA can be predicted significantly from pre-deployment data, but intervention planning needs to take PPV into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L. Zuromski
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha L. Bernecker
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chelsey R. Wilks
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas E. Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Howard Liu
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James A. Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nancy A. Sampson
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan M. Zaslavsky
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Murray B. Stein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronald C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Gutierrez PM, Osman A. Getting the Best Return on Your Screening Investment: An Analysis of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. School Psychology Review 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/02796015.2009.12087832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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15
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Gutierrez PM, Osman A. Getting the Best Return on Your Screening Investment: An Analysis of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. School Psychology Review 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/02796015.2009.12087802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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16
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Chu C, Wilks CR, Zuromski KL, Bernecker SL, King A, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, Nock MK, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Psychological Problems among 12th-Grade Students Predicting Military Enlistment: Findings from the Monitoring the Future Survey. Psychiatry 2020; 83:244-258. [PMID: 32960163 PMCID: PMC7513460 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2020.1794191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Rates of some psychological disorders are higher among enlisted U.S. military personnel than socio-demographically matched civilians. Indirect evidence suggests some internalizing and externalizing psychological problems among enlistees onset prior to enlistment. However, the consistency and strength of the associations between pre-enlistment psychological problems and enlistment over time is unknown. We address this uncertainty by examining whether internalizing and externalizing problems in high school predicted subsequent military enlistment using a large cohort-sequential panel study. Method: The Monitoring the Future study administered baseline surveys from 1989-2014 and biennial follow-up surveys two and four years later to national samples of high-school seniors (N = 20,823). Validated self-report scales assessed internalizing (depression, low self-esteem) and externalizing (risk-taking, school misbehavior, conduct disorder, interpersonal violence, alcohol, and drug use) problems in each survey. Follow-up surveys assessed military enlistment. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations of problems scales with subsequent enlistment. Results: School misbehavior in 12th grade, and risk-taking in 12th grade and two years after graduation were associated with significantly elevated odds of enlistment at follow-up. Although modest, these associations were linear and invariant across respondent sex and baseline survey year. Conclusions: School misbehavior and risk-taking predicted subsequent enlistment and there was no evidence of historical changes in these associations over the course of 25 years; these pre-enlistment psychological problems do not fully explain the high rates of psychological disorders among enlisted military personnel. Further research is needed to determine whether these predictors are associated with negative outcomes during or after military service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chelsey R. Wilks
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly L. Zuromski
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha L. Bernecker
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew King
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas E. Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronald C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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17
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Chen JI, Osman A, Freedenthal SL, Gutierrez PM. An Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Reasons for Living Inventory within a Male Veteran Clinical Sample. Arch Suicide Res 2020; 24:204-230. [PMID: 30636520 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2018.1563576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Elevated suicide risk among veteran populations remains a significant public health concern. However, few suicide assessment measures have been validated for veterans. The current study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL) scores among veteran populations. The participants included male veterans (N = 421) from a broad range of ages, combat exposures, and history of suicide attempts. Participants completed the RFL and a set of additional self-report measures of relevant constructs in a cross-sectional design. Estimates of internal consistency reliability were adequate for scores on all the original RFL subscale scores. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and exploratory bifactor (bi-factor EFA) analyses provided detailed information regarding the 6-factor solution from the original validation studies with the RFL. Additional analyses identified potential correlates for the RFL total and subscale scores. Secondary analyses showed support for evidence of known-groups validity for the RFL total scale score. Overall, this study provides initial support for the RFL as a reliable and valid measure of protective factors in veterans. Future studies may wish to consider further validation of the current findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason I Chen
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Augustine Osman
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Stacey L Freedenthal
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Denver VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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18
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Lavigne JE, Falbo K, Gutierrez PM. Cost–utility analysis of blister packaging all outpatient medications for veterans with bipolar disorder, major affective disorder, post‐traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia. J Pharm Health Serv Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jphs.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jill E Lavigne
- VISN 2 Center of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, St John Fisher College Canandaigua NY USA
| | - Kristin Falbo
- VISN 2 Center of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, St John Fisher College Canandaigua NY USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- VA Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention Denver CO USA
- School of Medicine University of Colorado Denver CO USA
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19
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Stanley IH, Hom MA, Chu C, Dougherty SP, Gallyer AJ, Spencer-Thomas S, Shelef L, Fruchter E, Comtois KA, Gutierrez PM, Sachs-Ericsson NJ, Joiner TE. Perceptions of belongingness and social support attenuate PTSD symptom severity among firefighters: A multistudy investigation. Psychol Serv 2019; 16:543-555. [PMID: 29595287 PMCID: PMC6163099 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Firefighters experience high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is imperative to identify malleable factors that protect against the development of PTSD symptoms among this population. We examined whether perceptions of belongingness broadly (Study 1) and social support from supervisors, coworkers, and family/friends specifically (Study 2) are associated with lower PTSD symptom severity among firefighters. Study 1 included 840 U.S. firefighters (91.1% male); participants completed the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire and PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. Study 2 included 200 U.S. women firefighters exposed to a Criterion A traumatic event; participants completed the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire, Life Events Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5, and PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5. Linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for the number of years participants served as firefighters. Greater belongingness broadly (Study 1; b = -0.740, p < .001) as well as social support specifically (Study 2) from supervisors (b = -4.615, p < .001), coworkers (b = -4.465, p = .001), and family/friends (b = -3.206, p = .021) were associated with less severe PTSD symptoms. When all sources of social support were entered into a single model, only support from supervisors was significantly associated with lower overall PTSD symptom severity (b = -4.222, p = .004). Belongingness and social support may protect against the development of PTSD among firefighters. Supervisor social support may be particularly salubrious, suggesting that top-down mental wellness promotion within the fire service may be indicated to protect firefighters against PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian H. Stanley
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - Melanie A. Hom
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - Sean P. Dougherty
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - Austin J. Gallyer
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | | | - Leah Shelef
- Mental Health Unit, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Haifa, Israel
- Psychology Branch, Israeli Air Force, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eyal Fruchter
- Psychiatry & Mental Health Division, Rambam Health Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver, CO USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO USA
| | | | - Thomas E. Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
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20
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Hom MA, Duffy ME, Rogers ML, Hanson JE, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Examining the link between prior suicidality and subsequent suicidal ideation among high-risk US military service members. Psychol Med 2019; 49:2237-2246. [PMID: 30355371 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718003124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research is needed to identify the factors that explain the link between prior and future suicidality. This study evaluated possible mediators of the relationship between: (1) the severity of prior suicidality and (2) suicidal ideation severity at 3-month follow-up among a sample of high-risk military personnel. METHODS US military service members referred to or seeking care for suicide risk (N = 624) completed self-report psychiatric domain measures and a clinician interview assessing prior suicidality severity at baseline. Three months later, participants completed a self-report measure of suicidal ideation severity. Three separate percentile bootstrap mediation models were used to examine psychiatric factors (i.e. alcohol abuse, anxiety sensitivity, hopelessness, insomnia, posttraumatic stress symptoms, suicidal ideation, and thwarted belongingness) as parallel mediators of the relationship between prior suicidality severity (specifically, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and overall suicidality - i.e. ideation/attempt severity combined) at baseline and suicidal ideation severity at follow-up. RESULTS Hopelessness, specifically, and the total effect of all mediators, each significantly accounted for the relationship between prior suicidality severity and subsequent ideation severity across models. In the models with attempt severity and overall suicidality severity as predictors, thwarted belongingness was also a significant mediator. CONCLUSIONS Hopelessness, thwarted belongingness, and overall severity of psychiatric indices may explain the relationship between prior suicidality severity and future suicidal ideation severity among service members at elevated suicide risk. Research is needed to replicate these findings and examine other possible mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Hom
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Mary E Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Megan L Rogers
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Jetta E Hanson
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Podlogar
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine
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22
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Soberay KA, Hanson JE, Dwyer M, Plant EA, Gutierrez PM. The Relationship between Suicidal Responses and Traumatic Brain Injury and Severe Insomnia in Active Duty, Veteran, and Civilian Populations. Arch Suicide Res 2019; 23:391-410. [PMID: 29792569 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2018.1479322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
This study examined how a positive traumatic brain injury (TBI) screening and insomnia severity relate to suicidal outcomes across active duty, veteran, and civilian samples. Data were used from 3,993 participants from 19 studies. We conducted a series of analyses by group to identify which significantly differed on the variables of interest. TBI and insomnia each had independent relationships with outcomes over and above the impact of the other factor. Veterans presented as clinically worse across the outcomes. However, the relationship between insomnia and suicidal responses was stronger for active duty military compared to veterans. Continued research on TBIs and insomnia severity across groups will improve quality of care for those at risk of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Soberay
- a Military Suicide Research Consortium , Denver , CO , USA.,b Department of Veterans Affairs , Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , Denver , CO 80206 , USA
| | - Jetta E Hanson
- a Military Suicide Research Consortium , Denver , CO , USA.,b Department of Veterans Affairs , Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , Denver , CO 80206 , USA
| | - Megan Dwyer
- a Military Suicide Research Consortium , Denver , CO , USA.,b Department of Veterans Affairs , Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , Denver , CO 80206 , USA
| | - E Ashby Plant
- a Military Suicide Research Consortium , Denver , CO , USA.,c Florida State University , Tallahassee , FL , USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- a Military Suicide Research Consortium , Denver , CO , USA.,b Department of Veterans Affairs , Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , Denver , CO 80206 , USA.,d University of Colorado School of Medicine , Denver , CO , USA
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23
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Hom MA, Stanley IH, Duffy ME, Rogers ML, Hanson JE, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Investigating the reliability of suicide attempt history reporting across five measures: A study of US military service members at risk of suicide. J Clin Psychol 2019; 75:1332-1349. [PMID: 30990892 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Utilizing a sample of military service members at risk of suicide, this study aimed to: (a) identify patterns of suicide attempt (SA) history reporting across five measures and (b) evaluate whether consistent SA reporters (i.e., individuals who consistently report an SA history across measures) differ from inconsistent SA reporters on other clinical severity indices. METHOD Participants (N = 984) completed five validated SA history measures and self-report psychiatric symptom measures. RESULTS Of the sample, 35.4% inconsistently responded to SA history measures. Inconsistent reporters disclosed more severe suicide threat histories than consistent reporters. On all other clinical severity indices, inconsistent reporters evinced either less severe or comparable symptom levels. CONCLUSIONS A nontrivial portion of service members may respond inconsistently to different assessments of SA history. Research is needed to identify factors that account for inconsistent SA history reporting and to improve the accuracy of SA history assessments among military personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Hom
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Ian H Stanley
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Mary E Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Megan L Rogers
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Jetta E Hanson
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado.,Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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24
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Gutierrez PM, Joiner T, Hanson J, Stanley IH, Silva C, Rogers ML. Psychometric Properties of Four Commonly Used Suicide Risk Assessment Measures: Applicability to Military Treatment Settings. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2018.1562390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Gutierrez
- Military Suicide Research Consortium
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Thomas Joiner
- Military Suicide Research Consortium
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Jetta Hanson
- Military Suicide Research Consortium
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ian H. Stanley
- Military Suicide Research Consortium
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Caroline Silva
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Megan L. Rogers
- Military Suicide Research Consortium
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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25
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Zuromski KL, Bernecker SL, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, King AJ, Liu H, Naifeh JA, Nock MK, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Assessment of a Risk Index for Suicide Attempts Among US Army Soldiers With Suicide Ideation: Analysis of Data From the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e190766. [PMID: 30874786 PMCID: PMC6484656 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.0766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began requiring annual suicide ideation (SI) screening of all patients and additional structured questions for patients reporting SI. Related changes are under consideration at the Department of Defense. These changes will presumably lead to higher SI detection, which will require hiring additional clinical staff and/or developing a clinical decision support system to focus in-depth suicide risk assessments on patients considered high risk. OBJECTIVE To carry out a proof-of-concept study for whether a brief structured question battery from a survey of US Army soldiers can help target in-depth suicide risk assessments by identifying soldiers with self-reported lifetime SI who are at highest risk of subsequent administratively recorded nonfatal suicide attempts (SAs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cohort study with prospective observational design. Data were collected from May 2011 to February 2013. Participants were followed up through December 2014. Analyses were conducted from March to November 2018. A logistic regression model was used to assess risk for subsequent administratively recorded nonfatal SAs. A total of 3649 Regular Army soldiers in 3 Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) surveys who reported lifetime SI were followed up for 18 to 45 months from baseline to assess administratively reported nonfatal SAs. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Outcome was administratively recorded nonfatal SAs between survey response and December 2014. Predictors were survey variables. RESULTS The 3649 survey respondents were 80.5% male and had a median (interquartile range) age of 29 (25-36) years (range, 18-55 years); 69.4% were white non-Hispanic, 14.6% were black, 9.0% were Hispanic, 7.0% were another racial/ethnic group. Sixty-five respondents had administratively recorded nonfatal SAs between survey response and December 2014. One additional respondent died by suicide without making a nonfatal SA but was excluded from analysis based on previous evidence that predictors are different for suicide death and nonfatal SAs. Significant risk factors were SI recency (odds ratio [OR], 7.2; 95% CI, 2.9-18.0) and persistence (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0-6.8), positive screens for mental disorders (OR, 26.2; 95% CI, 6.1-112.0), and Army career characteristics (OR for junior enlisted rank, 30.0; 95% CI, 3.3-272.5 and OR for senior enlisted rank, 6.7; 95% CI, 0.8-54.9). Cross-validated area under the curve was 0.78. The 10% of respondents with highest estimated risk accounted for 39.2% of subsequent SAs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Results suggest the feasibility of developing a clinically useful risk index for SA among soldiers with SI using a small number of self-report questions. If implemented, a continuous quality improvement approach should be taken to refine the structured question series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L. Zuromski
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha L. Bernecker
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Andrew J. King
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Howard Liu
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James A. Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy A. Sampson
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alan M. Zaslavsky
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Murray B. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ronald C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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26
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Johnson LL, O'Connor SS, Kaminer B, Gutierrez PM, Carney E, Groh B, Jobes DA. Evaluation of Structured Assessment and Mediating Factors of Suicide-Focused Group Therapy for Veterans Recently Discharged from Inpatient Psychiatry. Arch Suicide Res 2019; 23:15-33. [PMID: 29220609 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2017.1402722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The current study investigated the impact of adding the Suicide Status Form (SSF) to a suicide-focused group therapy for veterans recently discharged from an inpatient psychiatry setting. A sample of 141 veterans was enrolled and randomized into a Usual Assessment Group Therapy or SSF-Assessment Group Therapy. Participants completed interviews at baseline, 1, and 3 months. No significant differences were observed between groups regarding group attendance (IRR = 1.01, Std. Err = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.87, 1.18) or client satisfaction (β = 0.23, Std. Err = 0.66, p = 0.73, d = -.25). No main effects were observed across the study on secondary outcomes of interest for suicidal ideation and overall symptom distress, although participants in both treatment conditions reported significant improvements on these outcomes over the course of the study. Patients in the Usual Assessment Group Therapy demonstrated greater reductions in overall symptom distress across the 3-month follow-up window (β = 6.08, Std. Err = 2.04, p = 0.003; f2 = 0.05). Follow-up path analyses revealed that more frequent session attendance was significantly related to less suicidal ideation at 1-month, higher working alliance between individual members and group facilitators was associated with greater suicidal ideation at 1-month, and higher group cohesion among group members at 1-month was significantly associated with less thwarted belongingness at 1-month. Although the SSF did not improve the impact of an existing suicide-focused group therapy, the study findings support future research on group treatments for suicidal veterans.
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27
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Nock MK, Han G, Millner AJ, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, Hwang I, King A, Naifeh JA, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Patterns and predictors of persistence of suicide ideation: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). J Abnorm Psychol 2018; 127:650-658. [PMID: 30335437 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Persistent suicide ideation (SI) is known to be a risk factor for subsequent suicidal behaviors. Reducing SI persistence among people with a history of SI consequently might be a useful target for preventive intervention; however, basic information is lacking about patterns and predictors of SI persistence. We report preliminary retrospective data on annual SI persistence in a representative sample of 3,501 U.S. Army soldiers with lifetime SI from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Reports about age-of-onset and number of years with SI were used to estimate two definitions of persistence: persistence beyond year-of-onset and proportional annual persistence (i.e., percentage of years with SI since year-of-onset). Results revealed that for 47.8% of respondents with lifetime SI, their SI did not persist beyond the year-of-onset. For the 52.2% whose SI did persist beyond the year-of-onset, the median (interquartile range) proportional annual persistence was 33% (17-67%). Significant predictors of increased persistence were different for respondents with preenlistment SI onset (prior histories of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], bipolar disorder, and panic disorder) and postenlistment SI onset (male, combat support military occupation specialty, prior histories of ADHD, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder). These predictors of persistence are different from the predictors of SI onset, suggesting that secondary preventive interventions to reduce SI persistence may need to focus on different factors than primary preventive interventions to reduce SI onset. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georges Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
| | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center
| | | | - Irving Hwang
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
| | - Andrew King
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
| | - James A Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
| | | | | | - Murray B Stein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
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Nock MK, Millner AJ, Joiner TE, Gutierrez PM, Han G, Hwang I, King A, Naifeh JA, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Risk factors for the transition from suicide ideation to suicide attempt: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). J Abnorm Psychol 2018. [PMID: 29528668 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Prior research has shown that most known risk factors for suicide attempts in the general population actually predict suicide ideation rather than attempts among ideators. Yet clinical interest in predicting suicide attempts often involves the evaluation of risk among patients with ideation. We examined a number of characteristics of suicidal thoughts hypothesized to predict incident attempts in a retrospective analysis of lifetime ideators (N = 3,916) drawn from a large (N = 29,982), representative sample of United States Army soldiers. The most powerful predictors of first nonfatal lifetime suicide attempt in a multivariate model controlling for previously known predictors (e.g., demographics, mental disorders) were: recent onset of ideation, presence and recent onset of a suicide plan, low controllability of suicidal thoughts, extreme risk-taking or "tempting fate," and failure to answer questions about the characteristics of one's suicidal thoughts. A predictive model using these risk factors had strong accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = .93), with 66.2% of all incident suicide attempts occurring among the 5% of soldiers with highest composite predicted risk. This high concentration of risk in this retrospective study suggests that a useful clinical decision support model could be constructed from prospective data to identify those with highest risk of subsequent suicide attempt. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center
| | - Georges Han
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
| | - Irving Hwang
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
| | - Andrew King
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
| | - James A Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
| | | | | | - Murray B Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
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29
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Bernecker SL, Zuromski KL, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, King AJ, Liu H, Nock MK, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Predicting suicide attempts among soldiers who deny suicidal ideation in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Behav Res Ther 2018; 120:103350. [PMID: 30598236 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Most nonfatal suicide attempts and suicide deaths occur among patients who deny suicidal ideation (SI) during suicide risk screenings. Little is known about risk factors for suicidal behaviors among such patients. We investigated this in a representative sample of U.S. Army soldiers who denied lifetime SI in a survey and were then followed through administrative records for up to 45 months to learn of administratively-recorded suicide attempts (SA). A novel two-stage risk assessment approach was used that combined first-stage prediction from administrative records to find the subsample of SI deniers with highest subsequent SA risk and then used survey reports to estimate a second-stage model identifying the subset of individuals in the high-risk subsample at highest SA risk. 70% of survey respondents denied lifetime SI. Administrative data identified 30% of this 70% who accounted for 81.2% of subsequent administratively-recorded SAs. A relatively small number of self-report survey variables were then used to create a prediction model that identified 10% of the first-stage high-risk sample (i.e., 3% of all soldiers) at highest SA risk (accounting for 45% of SAs in the total sample). We close by discussing potential applications of this approach for identifying future SI deniers at highest SA risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Bernecker
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly L Zuromski
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Andrew J King
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Howard Liu
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew K Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nancy A Sampson
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan M Zaslavsky
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Murray B Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA.
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Abstract
Background: An important consideration when conducting randomized controlled trials is treatment differentiation. Direct observation helps ensure that providers in different treatment groups are delivering distinct interventions. One direct observation method is the use of a measure to rate clinician performance when delivering an intervention. Aims: This generalizability study evaluated the reliability of the CAMS Rating Scale (CRS), a measure used to assess delivery of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS). Method: Digitally recorded tapes of clinicians delivering either CAMS or Enhanced Care-As-Usual (E-CAU) were coded using the CRS. Sessions (N = 36) were each coded by two raters, and encompassed four clinicians, four time points, and 34 unique patients across two treatment groups. A reliability coefficient (i.e., G coefficient) and the percentages of variance contributed by each component of the measurement model were obtained. Results: The CRS reliably differentiates CAMS from E-CAU, minimizes measurement error relative to expected variance sources, and continues to demonstrate high inter-rater reliability. Limitations: The absence of blind raters, a formal training protocol for the rating team, and ratings from all clinician-patient dyads at all time points was a limitation. Conclusion: The CRS is a reliable treatment differentiation measure that can play an integral role in studies evaluating CAMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Corona
- 1 VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY, USA.,2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- 3 Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.,4 Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Barry M Wagner
- 5 Department of Psychology, Catholic University of America, Washington DC, USA
| | - David A Jobes
- 5 Department of Psychology, Catholic University of America, Washington DC, USA
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31
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Stanley IH, Rogers ML, Hanson JE, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. PTSD symptom clusters and suicide attempts among high-risk military service members: A three-month prospective investigation. J Consult Clin Psychol 2018; 87:67-78. [PMID: 30431299 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide rates within the U.S. military are elevated, and the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been identified as one potential conduit for suicide risk reduction. Despite increased interest in examining whether PTSD symptom clusters differentially predict suicide-related outcomes, to our knowledge no study has examined this question utilizing a prospective design for which suicide attempts is the outcome. Thus, the present study assessed whether PTSD symptom clusters differentially predict suicide attempts at 3-month follow-up and examined the moderating role of combat exposure. METHOD Participants were 758 military service members referred for psychiatric evaluation for suicide-related concerns and who provided both baseline and follow-up data (76.8% male, Mage = 25.20 y [SDage = 6.22 y], 61.6% White/Caucasian, 28.2% combat-exposed). Baseline PTSD symptom clusters scores were derived from an abbreviated version of the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M). Suicide attempts occurring from baseline to follow-up were assessed with the Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII). Logistic regression models were utilized, controlling for baseline suicide risk severity (i.e., frequency of suicidal ideation, levels of suicidal intent, past suicide plans and attempts) and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS The hyperarousal symptom cluster was the only significant predictor of subsequent suicide attempts and, moreover, this association was significant for combat-exposed service members but not for non-combat-exposed service members. CONCLUSIONS PTSD hyperarousal symptoms, characterized in part by overarousal (e.g., agitation), should be considered in military suicide risk assessment and prevention efforts, particularly for combat-exposed service members. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Brown TL, Gutierrez PM, Grunwald GK, DiGuiseppi C, Valuck RJ, Anderson HD. Access to Psychotropic Medication via Prescription Is Associated With Choice of Psychotropic Medication as Suicide Method: A Retrospective Study of 27,876 Suicide Attempts. J Clin Psychiatry 2018; 79. [PMID: 30418710 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.17m11982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Whether physical access to psychotropic medication via prescription (ie, prescribed access) is associated with use of psychotropic medication as a means of subsequent suicide attempt remains unclear. In a population of suicide attempters, we investigated whether prescribed access to any psychotropic medication increased the likelihood of using any psychotropic drug in a suicide attempt and whether prescribed access to a specific psychotropic drug type increased the likelihood of using that specific psychotropic drug type in an attempt. METHODS Case-control study design was used. We identified individuals receiving care for a suicide attempt (fatal or nonfatal) in emergency department and inpatient settings from a US insurance claims dataset (2006-2013) using relevant ICD-9-CM codes. Cases used a psychotropic drug in their suicide attempt, while controls used another method. Exposed individuals filled a psychotropic drug prescription within 90 days prior to the attempt. Multivariable logistic regression estimated odds ratios. RESULTS A population of 27,876 (cases = 10,158, controls = 17,718) was included. Anxiolytics were used most in attempts (n = 6,037, 59.4%), followed by antidepressants (n = 3,573, 35.2%), antipsychotics or mood stabilizers (n = 1,168, 11.5%), and stimulants (n = 368, 3.6%). Thirteen percent (n = 1,316) used more than 1 type of psychotropic drug in the attempt. Across all psychotropic drug groups evaluated, individuals using psychotropic medication in a suicide attempt were significantly more likely to have had prescribed access (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.6-1.9), with the highest drug type-specific odds ratios for antipsychotics or mood stabilizers (aOR = 6.5; 95% CI, 5.4-7.7) and stimulants (aOR = 7.6; 95% CI, 5.5-10.5). CONCLUSIONS Individuals at high risk for suicide with prescribed access to any psychotropic medication should be targeted for means safety interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia L Brown
- Boulder County Public Health, 3540 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304. .,Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Boulder County Public Health, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Gary K Grunwald
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Carolyn DiGuiseppi
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robert J Valuck
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Heather D Anderson
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Corona CD, Gutierrez PM, Wagner BM, Jobes DA. The psychometric properties of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality rating scale. J Clin Psychol 2018; 75:190-201. [PMID: 30291761 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The CAMS Rating Scale (CRS) is an adherence measure for the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), a suicide-specific clinical intervention. This study examined the ability of the CRS to assess adherence to CAMS. METHODS Video-recorded therapy sessions of clinicians delivering either CAMS or Enhanced Care-As-Usual (E-CAU) were rated with the CRS. These ratings (N = 98) were used to evaluate criterion validity, internal consistency, and factor structure. RESULTS Criterion validity and factor analyses did not support the organization of the CRS into its current subscales. Furthermore, the identified factor model and item-level statistics revealed weak CRS items. Finally, internal consistency was higher among CAMS clinicians than among clinicians delivering E-CAU. CONCLUSION These results establish the CRS as a measure that can effectively assess the adherence to CAMS in its current form. Potential revisions to future iterations of the CRS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Corona
- VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Barry M Wagner
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of America, Washington, District of Colombia
| | - David A Jobes
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of America, Washington, District of Colombia
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Huh D, Jobes DA, Comtois KA, Kerbrat AH, Chalker SA, Gutierrez PM, Jennings KW. The collaborative assessment and management of suicidality (CAMS) versus enhanced care as usual (E-CAU) with suicidal soldiers: Moderator analyses from a randomized controlled trial. Military Psychology 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2018.1503001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Huh
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David A. Jobes
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine Anne Comtois
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Amanda H. Kerbrat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Samantha A. Chalker
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith W. Jennings
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
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35
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Chiurliza B, Gutierrez PM, Joiner T, Hanson J, Ben-Yehuda A, Tatsa-Lauer L, Chu C, Schneider ME, Stanley IH, Rogers ML, Shelef L. Evaluation of Suicide Risk Assessment Measures in an Israel Defense Forces Military Sample. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2018.1470585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Chiurliza
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Thomas Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Jetta Hanson
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
| | | | | | - Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | | | - Ian H. Stanley
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Megan L. Rogers
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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Stanley IH, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Chu C, Rogers ML, Gai AR, Wagner RK, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. The Military Suicide Research Consortium Common Data Elements: An Examination of Measurement Invariance Across Current Service Members and Veterans. Assessment 2018; 26:963-975. [DOI: 10.1177/1073191118777635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Suicide rates within the U.S. military are elevated, necessitating greater efforts to identify those at increased risk. This study utilized a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis to examine measurement invariance of the Military Suicide Research Consortium Common Data Elements (CDEs) across current service members ( n = 2,015), younger veterans (<35 years; n = 377), and older veterans (≥35 years; n = 1,001). Strong factorial invariance was supported with adequate model fit observed for current service members, younger veterans, and older veterans. The structures of all models were generally comparable with few exceptions. The Military Suicide Research Consortium CDEs demonstrate at least adequate model fit for current military service members and veterans, regardless of age. Thus, the CDEs can be validly used across military and veteran populations. Given similar latent structures, research findings in one group may inform clinical and policy decision making for the other.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carol Chu
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Anna R. Gai
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
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37
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Bernecker SL, Rosellini AJ, Nock MK, Chiu WT, Gutierrez PM, Hwang I, Joiner TE, Naifeh JA, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Improving risk prediction accuracy for new soldiers in the U.S. Army by adding self-report survey data to administrative data. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:87. [PMID: 29615005 PMCID: PMC5883887 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1656-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High rates of mental disorders, suicidality, and interpersonal violence early in the military career have raised interest in implementing preventive interventions with high-risk new enlistees. The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS) developed risk-targeting systems for these outcomes based on machine learning methods using administrative data predictors. However, administrative data omit many risk factors, raising the question whether risk targeting could be improved by adding self-report survey data to prediction models. If so, the Army may gain from routinely administering surveys that assess additional risk factors. METHODS The STARRS New Soldier Survey was administered to 21,790 Regular Army soldiers who agreed to have survey data linked to administrative records. As reported previously, machine learning models using administrative data as predictors found that small proportions of high-risk soldiers accounted for high proportions of negative outcomes. Other machine learning models using self-report survey data as predictors were developed previously for three of these outcomes: major physical violence and sexual violence perpetration among men and sexual violence victimization among women. Here we examined the extent to which this survey information increases prediction accuracy, over models based solely on administrative data, for those three outcomes. We used discrete-time survival analysis to estimate a series of models predicting first occurrence, assessing how model fit improved and concentration of risk increased when adding the predicted risk score based on survey data to the predicted risk score based on administrative data. RESULTS The addition of survey data improved prediction significantly for all outcomes. In the most extreme case, the percentage of reported sexual violence victimization among the 5% of female soldiers with highest predicted risk increased from 17.5% using only administrative predictors to 29.4% adding survey predictors, a 67.9% proportional increase in prediction accuracy. Other proportional increases in concentration of risk ranged from 4.8% to 49.5% (median = 26.0%). CONCLUSIONS Data from an ongoing New Soldier Survey could substantially improve accuracy of risk models compared to models based exclusively on administrative predictors. Depending upon the characteristics of interventions used, the increase in targeting accuracy from survey data might offset survey administration costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Bernecker
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA ,000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Anthony J. Rosellini
- 0000 0004 1936 7558grid.189504.1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Wai Tat Chiu
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- 0000 0000 9751 469Xgrid.422100.5Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO USA
| | - Irving Hwang
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Thomas E. Joiner
- 0000 0004 0472 0419grid.255986.5Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - James A. Naifeh
- 0000 0001 0421 5525grid.265436.0Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Nancy A. Sampson
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Alan M. Zaslavsky
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Murray B. Stein
- 0000 0001 2107 4242grid.266100.3Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- 0000 0001 0421 5525grid.265436.0Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Ronald C. Kessler
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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Chu C, Hom MA, Stanley IH, Gai A, Nock MK, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A study of the explanatory roles of the interpersonal theory variables among military service members and veterans. J Consult Clin Psychol 2018; 86:56-68. [PMID: 29172592 PMCID: PMC5754238 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research has identified non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a robust correlate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors; however, little is known regarding why these constructs may be related. Consistent with the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study investigated thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and capability for suicide (CS) as explanatory links in the association between NSSI, ideation, and suicide attempt history. METHOD Military service members and veterans (N = 973; agemean = 29.9 years, 78.8% male, 63.8% Caucasian/White) completed measures of lifetime NSSI and suicide attempts; current suicidal ideation; TB, PB, and CS; and related psychiatric symptoms. Bootstrap moderated mediation analyses were employed to examine whether (a) TB moderated the mediating effect of PB on NSSI and ideation, (b) PB moderated the mediating effect of TB on NSSI and ideation, and (c) CS moderated the mediating effect of TB and PB on NSSI and attempts. RESULTS TB and PB significantly accounted for the relationship between lifetime NSSI and current ideation. TB did not moderate the mediating effect of PB on NSSI and ideation, and PB did not moderate the mediating effect of TB. However, CS significantly moderated the mediating effects of TB and PB on NSSI and attempt history. CONCLUSIONS The interpersonal theory of suicide hypotheses were partially supported. Consistent with the theory, the interaction of TB and PB only explained NSSI and attempt history among service members with high levels of CS. TB and PB only individually explained the association between lifetime NSSI and recent suicidal ideation. Prospective studies are warranted to replicate these findings across other military samples. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Chu
- Florida State University, Department of Psychology, Tallahassee, FL
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge, MA
| | - Melanie A. Hom
- Florida State University, Department of Psychology, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Ian H. Stanley
- Florida State University, Department of Psychology, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Anna Gai
- Florida State University, Department of Psychology, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Harvard University, Department of Psychology, Cambridge, MA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, CO
| | - Thomas E. Joiner
- Florida State University, Department of Psychology, Tallahassee, FL
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39
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Ringer FB, Soberay KA, Rogers ML, Hagan CR, Chu C, Schneider M, Podlogar MC, Witte T, Holm-Denoma J, Plant EA, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Initial validation of brief measures of suicide risk factors: Common data elements used by the Military Suicide Research Consortium. Psychol Assess 2017; 30:767-778. [PMID: 29130694 DOI: 10.1037/pas0000519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) developed a 57-item questionnaire assessing suicide risk factors, referred to as the Common Data Elements (CDEs), in order to facilitate data sharing and improve collaboration across independent studies. All studies funded by MSRC are required to include the CDEs in their assessment protocol. The CDEs include shortened measures of the following: current and past suicide risk, lethality and intent of past suicide attempts, hopelessness, thwarted belongingness, anxiety sensitivity, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, traumatic brain injury, insomnia, and alcohol abuse. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CDE items drawn from empirically validated measures. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the overall structure of the CDE items, and confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate the distinct properties of each scale. Internal consistencies of the CDE scales and correlations with full measures were also examined. Merged data from 3,140 participants (81.0% military service members, 75.6% male) across 19 MSRC-funded studies were used in analyses. Results indicated that all measures exhibited adequate internal consistency, and all CDE shortened measures were significantly correlated with the corresponding full measures with moderate to strong effect sizes. Factor analyses indicated that the shortened CDE measures performed well in comparison with the full measures. Overall, our findings suggest that the CDEs are not only brief but also provide psychometrically valid scores when assessing suicide risk and related factors that may be used in future research. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly A Soberay
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | | | | | - Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University
| | | | | | - Tracy Witte
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University
| | | | | | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center
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Ribeiro JD, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE, Kessler RC, Petukhova MV, Sampson NA, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Nock MK. Health care contact and suicide risk documentation prior to suicide death: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). J Consult Clin Psychol 2017; 85:403-408. [PMID: 28333538 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prior research has shown that a substantial portion of suicide decedents access health care in the weeks and months before their death. We examined whether this is true among soldiers. METHOD The sample included the 569 Regular Army soldiers in the U.S. Army who died by suicide on active duty between 2004 and 2009 compared to 5,690 matched controls. Analyses examined the prevalence and frequency of health care contacts and documentation of suicide risk (i.e., the presence of prior suicidal thoughts and behaviors) over the year preceding suicide death. Predictors of health care contact and suicide risk documentation were also examined. RESULTS Approximately 50% of suicide decedents accessed health care in the month prior to their death, and over 25% of suicide decedents accessed health care in the week prior to their death. Mental health encounters were significantly more prevalent among suicide decedents (4 weeks: 27.9% vs. 7.9%, χ2 = 96.2, p < .001; 52 weeks: 59.4% vs. 33.7%, χ2 = 120.2, p < .001). Despite this, risk documentation was rare among suicide decedents (4 weeks: 13.8%; 52 weeks: 24.5%). Suicide decedents who were male, never married, and non-Hispanic Black were less likely to access care prior to death. Number of mental health encounters was the only predictor of suicide risk documentation among decedents at 4 weeks (OR = 1.14) and 52 weeks (OR = 1.05) prior to their death. CONCLUSIONS Many soldiers who die by suicide access health care shortly before death, presenting an opportunity for suicide prevention. However, in most cases, there was no documentation of prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors, highlighting the need for improvements in risk detection and prediction. Increasing the frequency, scope, and accuracy of risk assessments, especially in mental health care settings, may be particularly useful. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
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Hom MA, Chu C, Schneider ME, Lim IC, Hirsch JK, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Thwarted belongingness as an explanatory link between insomnia symptoms and suicidal ideation: Findings from three samples of military service members and veterans. J Affect Disord 2017; 209:114-123. [PMID: 27898373 PMCID: PMC5333761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although insomnia has been identified as a robust predictor of suicidal ideation and behaviors, little is known about the mechanisms by which sleep disturbances confer risk for suicide. We investigated thwarted belongingness as an explanatory link between insomnia symptoms and suicidal ideation across three military service member and veteran samples. METHODS Data were collected among United States military service members and veterans (N1=937, N2=3,386, N3=417) who completed self-report measures of insomnia symptoms, thwarted belongingness, suicidal ideation, and related psychiatric symptoms (e.g., anxiety, hopelessness). Bias-corrected bootstrap mediation analyses were utilized to examine the indirect effects of insomnia symptoms on suicidal ideation through thwarted belongingness, controlling for related psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS Consistent with study hypotheses, thwarted belongingness significantly accounted for the relationship between insomnia and suicidal ideation across all three samples; however, insomnia symptoms did not significantly account for the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation, highlighting the specificity of our findings. LIMITATIONS This study utilized cross-sectional self-report data. CONCLUSIONS Insomnia may confer suicide risk for military service members and veterans, in part, through the pathway of thwarted belongingness. Additional prospective studies are warranted to further delineate this model of risk. Our results offer a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of suicide, via the promotion of belongingness, among service members and veterans experiencing insomnia symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Hom
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States.
| | - Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States
| | | | - Ingrid C Lim
- Office of the Army Surgeon General, United States
| | - Jameson K Hirsch
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, United States
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, United States
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States
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Abstract
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a group of research methods that collect data frequently, in many contexts, and in real-world settings. EMA has been fairly neglected in suicidology. The current article provides an overview of EMA for suicidologists including definitions, data collection considerations, and different sampling strategies. Next, the benefits of EMA in suicidology (i.e., reduced recall bias, accurate tracking of fluctuating variables, testing assumptions of theories, use in interventions), participant safety considerations, and examples of published research that investigate self-directed violence variables using EMA are discussed. The article concludes with a summary and suggested directions for EMA research in suicidology with the particular aim to spur the increased use of this methodology among suicidologists.
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Hom MA, Stanley IH, Gutierrez PM, Joiner TE. Exploring the association between exposure to suicide and suicide risk among military service members and veterans. J Affect Disord 2017; 207:327-335. [PMID: 27743535 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Past research suggests that suicide has a profound impact on surviving family members and friends; yet, little is known about experiences with suicide bereavement among military populations. This study aimed to characterize experiences with suicide exposure and their associations with lifetime and current psychiatric symptoms among military service members and veterans. METHODS A sample of 1753 United States military service members and veterans completed self-report questionnaires assessing experiences with suicide exposure, lifetime history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, current suicidal symptoms, and perceived likelihood of making a future suicide attempt. RESULTS The majority of participants (57.3%) reported knowing someone who had died by suicide, and of these individuals, most (53.1%) reported having lost a friend to suicide. Chi-square tests, one-way ANOVAs, and logistic regression analyses revealed that those who reported knowing a suicide decedent were more likely to report more severe current suicidal symptoms and a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to those who did not know a suicide decedent. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that greater self-reported interpersonal closeness to a suicide decedent predicted greater self-reported likelihood of a future suicide attempt, even after controlling for current suicidal symptoms and prior suicidal thoughts and behaviors. LIMITATIONS This study utilized cross-sectional data, and information regarding degree of exposure to suicide was not collected. CONCLUSIONS Military personnel and veterans who have been bereaved by suicide may themselves be at elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Additional work is needed to delineate the relationship between these experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Hom
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States.
| | - Ian H Stanley
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States
| | - Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, United States
| | - Thomas E Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United States
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Jobes DA, Comtois KA, Gutierrez PM, Brenner LA, Huh D, Chalker SA, Ruhe G, Kerbrat AH, Atkins DC, Jennings K, Crumlish J, Corona CD, Connor SO, Hendricks KE, Schembari B, Singer B, Crow B. A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality versus Enhanced Care as Usual With Suicidal Soldiers. Psychiatry 2017; 80:339-356. [PMID: 29466107 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2017.1354607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study describes a randomized controlled trial called "Operation Worth Living" (OWL) which compared the use of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) to enhanced care as usual (E-CAU). We hypothesized that CAMS would be more effective than E-CAU for reducing suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA), along with secondary behavioral health and health care utilization markers for U.S. Army Soldier outpatients with significant SI (i.e., > 13 on Beck's Scale for Suicide Ideation). METHOD Study participants were 148 Soldiers who presented to a military outpatient behavioral health clinic. There were 73 Soldiers in the experimental arm of the trial who received adherent CAMS; 75 Soldiers received E-CAU. Nine a-priori treatment outcomes (SI, past year SA, suicide-related emergency department (ED) admits, behavioral health-related ED admits, suicide-related inpatient psychiatric unit (IPU) days, behavioral health-related IPU days, mental health, psychiatric distress, resiliency) were measured through assessments at Baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-Baseline (with a 78% retention of intent-to-treat participants at 12 months). RESULTS Soldiers in both arms of the trial responded to study treatments in terms of all primary and secondary outcomes (effect sizes ranged from 0.63 to 12.04). CAMS participants were significantly less likely to have any suicidal thoughts by 3 months in comparison to those in E-CAU (Cohen's d = 0.93, p=.028). CONCLUSIONS Soldiers receiving CAMS and E-CAU significantly improved post-treatment. Those who received CAMS were less likely to report SI at 3 months; further group differences were not otherwise seen.
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O'Connor SS, Carney E, Jennings KW, Johnson LL, Gutierrez PM, Jobes DA. Relative Impact of Risk Factors, Thwarted Belongingness, and Perceived Burdensomeness on Suicidal Ideation in Veteran Service Members. J Clin Psychol 2016; 73:1360-1369. [DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- University of Colorado School of Medicine
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Gutierrez PM, Pease J, Matarazzo BB, Monteith LL, Hernandez T, Osman A. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire and the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in military veterans. Psychol Assess 2016; 28:1684-1694. [DOI: 10.1037/pas0000310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Osman A, Gutierrez PM, Muehlenkamp JJ, Dix-Richardson F, Barrios FX, Kopper BA. Suicide Resilience Inventory–25: Development and Preliminary Psychometric Properties. Psychol Rep 2016; 94:1349-60. [PMID: 15362416 DOI: 10.2466/pr0.94.3c.1349-1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript describes the development of the Suicide Resilience Inventory–25, used to assess factors that help defend against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We used multiple sources to generate and evaluate initial items (Study 1), then conducted an iterated principal-axis factor analysis with data from a combined sample of 540 adolescents and young adults. This identified three correlated factors, named Internal Protective, Emotional Stability, and External Protective. Estimated alpha for the total inventory and scales was high (.90 to .95). In Study 1, scores on the inventory significantly differentiated between the responses of adolescents and young adults. In Study 2, the inventory scores significantly differentiated between participants who reported (a) no prior suicide thoughts or attempts (145 men and 153 women), (b) brief suicidal thoughts (55 men and 110 women), and (c) prior suicide plans or attempts (22 men and 55 women). Results of the two studies suggest the inventory is useful for assessing the construct of suicide resilience in terms of these three operationally defined dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Osman
- University of Northern Iowa, Department of Psychology, Cedar Falls, 50614-0505, USA.
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Abstract
Analyses of data collected from 480 university students (approximately 56% White and 44% Black) challenge the utility of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) for use with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds. This size sample allowed for an examination of the psychometric properties and cultural relevance of the MAST for non-Whites. Correlations between scores on the MAST, suicide, and depression measures were in the expected directions for Whites but not for Blacks or Latinos. The White sample data fit the four-factor model of the MAST, but the model required several modifications to fit the data from the Black sample. Verification of the cultural relevance of the MAST and a revision of the scale are recommended to improve its usefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Gutierrez
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115-2892, USA.
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Gutierrez PM, Davidson CL, Friese AH, Forster JE. Physical Activity, Suicide Risk Factors, and Suicidal Ideation in a Veteran Sample. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2016; 46:284-92. [PMID: 26404757 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The association between current level of suicidal ideation and physical activity was tested in a broad sample of veterans seeking care from the Veterans Health Administration. It was hypothesized that the two variables would be significantly inversely related. It was further hypothesized that the relationship would be mediated by depressive symptoms, disturbed sleep, and a measure of heart rate variability based on existing research regarding physical activity and sleep. Due to the first hypothesis not being supported, the second could not be tested. Post hoc correlation analyses did find associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms, in expected directions, and are discussed. Possible explanations for the negative findings along with recommendations for future research to continue exploring links between suicide risk and physical activity are presented. We conclude by suggesting that physical activity may have promise as a risk reduction intervention and that prospective data are more likely to yield significant results than the cross-sectional methodology employed in the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Collin L Davidson
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Ariel H Friese
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Jeri E Forster
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
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50
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Abstract
Abstract. Background: Lowered eye blink rate may be a clinically useful indicator of acute, imminent, and severe suicide risk. Diminished eye blink rates are often seen among individuals engaged in heightened concentration on a specific task that requires careful planning and attention. Indeed, overcoming one’s biological instinct for survival through suicide necessitates premeditation and concentration; thus, a diminished eye blink rate may signal imminent suicidality. Aims: This article aims to spur research and clinical inquiry into the role of eye blinks as an indicator of acute suicide risk. Method: Literature relevant to the potential connection between eye blink rate and suicidality was reviewed and synthesized. Results: Anecdotal, cognitive, neurological, and conceptual support for the relationship between decreased blink rate and suicide risk is outlined. Conclusion: Given that eye blinks are a highly observable behavior, the potential clinical utility of using eye blink rate as a marker of suicide risk is immense. Research is warranted to explore the association between eye blink rate and acute suicide risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E. Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Melanie A. Hom
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Megan L. Rogers
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Carol Chu
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Ian H. Stanley
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Gary H. Wynn
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter M. Gutierrez
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver, CO, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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