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. 2023;47(5):618-623.
doi: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2108944. Epub 2022 Aug 8.

Cannabis use and suicide risk among Gulf War veterans

Jeremy L Grove  1 , Nathan A Kimbrel  1   2   3   4 , Sarah C Griffin  2   3 , Tate Halverson  2   3 , Mark A White  2 , Shannon M Blakey  5 , Jean C Beckham  1   2   3 , Eric A Dedert  1   2   3   4 , David B Goldston  1 , Mary J Pugh  6   7 , Patrick S Calhoun  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

Cannabis use and suicide risk among Gulf War veterans

Jeremy L Grove et al. Death Stud. 2023.

Abstract

Cannabis use has been indicated as a risk factor for suicide in veterans. This study of Gulf War veterans tested the relationship between self-report past year cannabis use and (a) past year suicidal ideation and (b) risk for suicidal behavior. Data were from a national sample (N = 1126) of Gulf War veterans. Logistic regression models indicated cannabis use was associated with past year suicidal ideation and elevated risk for suicidal behavior, independent of key covariates. In corroboration with research on other military populations, this study indicates a potentially concerning association between cannabis use and suicide risk in Gulf War veterans.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure statement

None of the authors report a conflict of interest. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or any of its academic affiliates.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Bivariate association between any past year cannabis use and past year suicidal ideation and overall risk for suicidal behavior based on the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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