@article{ref1,
title="Suicide characteristics of veterans hospitalized for suicide ideation or attempt",
journal="Military medicine",
year="2023",
author="Primack, Jennifer M. and Thompson, Matthew F. and Peters, Aileen and Quinn, McKenzie and Kelsey, Madeline and Miller, Ivan W. and Bozzay, Melanie",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Veteran suicide rates continue to be unacceptably high, with the most common risk factor being a past suicide attempt (SA). However, some characteristics of suicidal ideation (SI) and behavior among Veterans hospitalized for suicide risk remain under-reported. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-three Veterans hospitalized for either an SA or SI with intent were screened for enrollment in a treatment study to prevent suicide. Veterans completed a demographic form, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, and the McLean borderline personality disorder screening measure shortly after inpatient psychiatric admission. Chi-squared and t-tests were used to compare suicide characteristics (e.g., intensity, duration, deterrents, and controllability) between Veterans with and without a lifetime history of SA. Thematic analyses of the reported method of SI were conducted. <br><br>RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of participants were hospitalized for SI and 33% were hospitalized for SA. Twenty-one percent of Veterans hospitalized for SI also endorsed a recent SA in the weeks preceding hospitalization. Most participants reported at least one lifetime SA (71%). Veterans with a lifetime history of SA reported greater frequency and duration of ideation in the week before hospitalization (t[169] =  -2.56, P = .01; t[168] =  -2.04, P = .04) while also reporting that deterrents were less likely to prevent an SA (t[107.09] =  -3.58, P = .001) compared to those with no lifetime SA. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Overall, Veterans hospitalized for SI/SA demonstrated markers of chronic suicide risk, as most participants endorsed a past attempt in their lifetime. Some Veterans admitted for SI also reported a past month's attempt, suggesting that in certain cases, hospitalization does not immediately follow an acute suicidal crisis. A past SA differentiated Veterans on average frequency and duration of SI as well as the perception of deterrents preventing suicidal behavior. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of suicide methods and intensity may be informative in treatment planning for Veterans at greatest risk of suicide.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0026-4075",
doi="10.1093/milmed/usad196",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad196"
}