Citation

Wilks CR, Khalifian CE, Glynn SM, Morland LA. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Pacific Islands Division, National Center for PTSD, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jclp.22960

PMID

32406535

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Anger has been identified as a risk factor for suicide in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), theoretically because it erodes social support networks. In romantic relationships, the transactional properties of anger on suicidal ideation (SI) have not been explored.

METHODS: Veterans (n = 138) and their significant others (S-Os; total N = 276) completed assessments on anger and SI as part of a baseline assessment in a treatment outcome study for veterans with PTSD and their S-Os. Actor Partner Interdependence Moderation Model (APIMoM) with Multilevel Modeling (MLM) was conducted.

RESULTS: Veteran and S-Os verbal and anger expression were associated with veteran's SI, while S-Os' physical anger expression was associated with veteran's SI. S-Os' feeling angry was associated with veteran's SI. Veteran angry temperament was associated with veteran SI.

DISCUSSION: Anger should be considered an assessment and treatment target in veterans with PTSD with SI and their S-Os.

Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Language: en

Keywords

anger; couples; suicidal ideation; veterans