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Evaluating the interpersonal theory of suicide among post-9/11 veterans: Suicidal desire and intent in the early transition to civilian life

Relative to the civilian population, veterans are at elevated risk of dying by suicide. However, there have been few studies using the interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) to help explain their excess suicide desire (SD). ITS posits that the desire/intent to die by suicide occurs when two risk factors are present – thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). A large cohort of post-9/11 veterans were surveyed approximately every six months over several years, beginning soon after transitioning to civilian life. Stable trait-like perceived burdensomeness (T-PB) and stable trait-like passive suicidal ideation (T-PSI) were positively associated with suicide risk (SR), while trait-like thwarted belongingness (T-TB) was not. T-TB predicted subsequent T-TB and T-PB predicted subsequent T-PB over time. T-PSI predicted subsequent T-PSI over time. T-TB inconsistently predicted T-PSI over time, while T-TB predicted T-PSI at all waves with one exception. Thus, there was partial support for ITS with T-PB and T-PSI more highly predictive of SR than T-TB. Temporal state-like perceived burdensomeness (S-PB) and temporal state-like thwarted belongingness (S-TB) were inconsistently associated with temporal state-like passive suicidal ideation (S-PSI). Several study limitations are described, including the use of validated but indirect measures of relevant ITS constructs.

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Work Title Evaluating the interpersonal theory of suicide among post-9/11 veterans: Suicidal desire and intent in the early transition to civilian life
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Keith R Aronson
  2. Ryan P Chesnut
  3. Daniel F Perkins
Keyword
  1. Suicidal Attempt
  2. Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide
  3. Trait Like
  4. Early Transition
  5. Transition To Civilian Life
  6. Post 9/11 Veterans
  7. Thwarted Belongingness
  8. Perceived Burdensomeness
  9. Suicide
  10. State Like
  11. Suicide Risk
  12. Risk Factors
  13. Partial Support
  14. Large Cohort
  15. Indirect Measurement
  16. Civilian Population
  17. Civilian Life
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Acknowledgments
  1. This work was supported by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Washington, DC [grant numbers 2957 and 64515]; Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC [grant number 34406]; The Heinz Endowment, Pittsburgh, PA [grant number G0197]; May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, Corte Madera, CA [grant number 233502]; The Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Atlanta, GA [grant number 76853129]; and the Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, FL [grant number 26402]. In addition, this work leverages funds by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hatch Appropriations [grant number 2021-48709-35659].
Publisher
  1. Journal of Affective Disorders
Publication Date April 20, 2025
Language
  1. English
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.105
Deposited June 02, 2025

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Version 1
published

  • Created

    June 02, 2025 14:29 by meh302

  • Updated

    June 02, 2025 14:29 by [unknown user]

  • Updated Language, Publisher, Description, and 1 more Show Changes

    June 02, 2025 14:43 by meh302

    Language
    • English
    Publisher
    • Journal of Affective Disorders
    Description
    • Relative to the civilian population, veterans are at elevated risk of dying by suicide. However, there have been few studies using the interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) to help explain their excess suicide desire (SD). ITS posits that the desire/intent to die by suicide occurs when two risk factors are present – thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). A large cohort of post-9/11 veterans were surveyed approximately every six months over several years, beginning soon after transitioning to civilian life. Stable trait-like perceived burdensomeness (T-PB) and stable trait-like passive suicidal ideation (T-PSI) were positively associated with suicide risk (SR), while trait-like thwarted belongingness (T-TB) was not. T-TB predicted subsequent T-TB and T-PB predicted subsequent T-PB over time. T-PSI predicted subsequent T-PSI over time. T-TB inconsistently predicted T-PSI over time, while T-TB predicted T-PSI at all waves with one exception. Thus, there was partial support for ITS with T-PB and T-PSI more highly predictive of SR than T-TB. Temporal state-like perceived burdensomeness (S-PB) and temporal state-like thwarted belongingness (S-TB) were inconsistently associated with temporal state-like passive suicidal ideation (S-PSI). Several study limitations are described, including the use of validated but indirect measures of relevant ITS constructs.
    Publication Date
    • 2025-04-20
  • Added Creator Meghan Baker

    June 02, 2025 14:43 by meh302

  • Added suicideApril2025.pdf

    June 02, 2025 14:44 by meh302

  • Updated Publisher Identifier (DOI), Acknowledgments, License Show Changes

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

    Publisher Identifier (DOI)
    • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.105
    Acknowledgments
    • This work was supported by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Washington, DC [grant numbers 2957 and 64515]; Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC [grant number 34406]; The Heinz Endowment, Pittsburgh, PA [grant number G0197]; May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, Corte Madera, CA [grant number 233502]; The Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Atlanta, GA [grant number 76853129]; and the Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, FL [grant number 26402]. In addition, this work leverages funds by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hatch Appropriations [grant number 2021-48709-35659].
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
  • Deleted Creator Meghan Baker

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

  • Added Creator Keith R Aronson

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

  • Added Creator Ryan P Chesnut

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

  • Added Creator Daniel F Perkins

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

  • Updated Keyword, Publication Date Show Changes

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

    Keyword
    • Suicidal Attempt, Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide, Trait Like, Early Transition, Transition To Civilian Life, Post 9/11 Veterans, Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, Suicide, State Like, Suicide Risk, Risk Factors, Partial Support, Large Cohort, Indirect Measurement, Civilian Population, Civilian Life
    Publication Date
    • 2025-04-20
    • 2025-01-01
  • Updated

    June 02, 2025 14:46 by meh302

  • Updated Creator Keith R Aronson

    June 02, 2025 14:47 by meh302

  • Updated Creator Ryan P Chesnut

    June 02, 2025 14:47 by meh302

  • Updated Creator Daniel F Perkins

    June 02, 2025 14:47 by meh302

  • Published

    June 02, 2025 14:47 by meh302

  • Updated

    June 02, 2025 22:05 by [unknown user]

  • Updated Publication Date Show Changes

    June 06, 2025 12:58 by jts5573

    Publication Date
    • 2025-01-01
    • 2025-04-20