Suicide Attempt Characteristics Among Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members Receiving Mental Health Services: A Pooled Data Analysis

Abstract

Past suicidal behaviors are among the strongest and most consistent predictors of eventual suicide and may be particularly salient in military suicide. The current study compared characteristics of suicide attempts in veterans (N = 746) and active-duty service members (N = 1,013) receiving treatment for acute suicide risk. Baseline data from six randomized controlled trials were pooled and analyzed using robust regression. Service members had greater odds of having attempted suicide relative to veterans, though there were no differences in number of attempts made. Service members also had higher rates of premilitary suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Veterans disproportionately attempted suicide by means of overdose. In veterans, combat deployment was associated with lower odds of lifetime suicide attempt, while history of NSSI was associated with greater attempt odds. Neither was significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempt in service members. Implications for suicide assessment and treatment are discussed.

Figure 1

Relative odds of suicide attempt methods used by veterans and service members Note. The points represent the odds ratio for each method, with the dashed line at 1.0 indicating no difference between veterans and service members. A dot on the left side of the dashed line indicates Veterans had greater odds of using a method, while a dot on the right side means service members had greater odds. The horizontal line around the point represents the 95% confidence interval and if it does not cross the dashed line, the difference is statistically significant.