Citation

Weisenhorn DA, Frey LM, Hans JD, Cerel J. J. Fam. Soc. Work 2017; 20(1): 41-51.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10522158.2017.1286278

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Numerous mental health disorders plague our veterans when they return from deployment including anxiety and depressive disorders, which have been linked to elevated suicide risk when left untreated. Family factors, such as parenthood status, may serve as a protective factor against these mental health issues. This study examined the role of parenthood status of male veterans (N = 234) based on age of the child in order to determine whether a child's age (minor children v. adult children) affects the likelihood of meeting diagnosis criteria for anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation after controlling for marital status. Three hierarchical binary logistic regression models were constructed to assess the predictive influence of children 18 years old and younger, children older than 18, and no children with the results indicating that parenthood status did meaningfully enhance the prediction of suicide ideation. Complete findings, clinical implications, and future considerations are discussed. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; Military; suicide; suicide ideation; veteran