BACKGROUND: Suicide rates are alarmingly high among military personnel, and particularly Army National Guard soldiers. Smoking is also disproportionately common in the military. In this study, we intend to investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and suicidal ideation among a representative sample of national guard soldiers. METHODS: A representative sample of Ohio Army National Guard soldiers were followed prospectively and information was gathered on smoking, suicidal ideation and depression at baseline and one year later. RESULTS: Smoking at baseline was associated with significantly increased likelihood of suicidal ideation at follow-up (OR=2.0 (1.3, 3.2)). This association persisted after adjusting for demographics and history of depression at baseline, but was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for depression at follow-up. LIMITATIONS: Measurement of smoking was somewhat limited. CONCLUSIONS: Army National Guard soldiers who smoke have a greater risk of subsequent suicidal ideation. Depression concurrent with suicidal ideation appears to explain this relationship. If these results are replicated, screening of soldiers who smoke may be recommended as a proactive step towards mitigating the high risk of suicide in military personnel.
BACKGROUND: Suicide rates are alarmingly high among military personnel, and particularly Army National Guard soldiers. Smoking is also disproportionately common in the military. In this study, we intend to investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and suicidal ideation among a representative sample of national guard soldiers. METHODS: A representative sample of Ohio Army National Guard soldiers were followed prospectively and information was gathered on smoking, suicidal ideation and depression at baseline and one year later. RESULTS: Smoking at baseline was associated with significantly increased likelihood of suicidal ideation at follow-up (OR=2.0 (1.3, 3.2)). This association persisted after adjusting for demographics and history of depression at baseline, but was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for depression at follow-up. LIMITATIONS: Measurement of smoking was somewhat limited. CONCLUSIONS: Army National Guard soldiers who smoke have a greater risk of subsequent suicidal ideation. Depression concurrent with suicidal ideation appears to explain this relationship. If these results are replicated, screening of soldiers who smoke may be recommended as a proactive step towards mitigating the high risk of suicide in military personnel.
Authors: Ronald C Kessler; Patricia A Berglund; Guilherme Borges; Ruby C Castilla-Puentes; Meyer D Glantz; Savina A Jaeger; Kathleen R Merikangas; Matthew K Nock; Leo J Russo; Paul E Stang Journal: J Nerv Ment Dis Date: 2007-05 Impact factor: 2.254
Authors: Kate Walsh; Sandro Galea; Magdalena Cerda; Catherine Richards; Israel Liberzon; Marijo B Tamburrino; Joseph Calabrese; Karestan C Koenen Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2014-10-28
Authors: Bea Herbeck Belnap; Herbert C Schulberg; Fanyin He; Sati Mazumdar; Charles F Reynolds; Bruce L Rollman Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2014-12-27 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Sandra Odebrecht Vargas Nunes; Márcia Regina Pizzo de Castro; Maria Angelica Ehara Watanabe; Roberta Losi Guembarovski; Heber Odebrecht Vargas; Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche; Helena Kaminami Morimoto; Seetal Dodd; Michael Berk Journal: Psychiatr Genet Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 2.458
Authors: Kiwon Kim; Sung-Woo Kim; Woojae Myung; Cheol E Han; Maurizio Fava; David Mischoulon; George I Papakostas; Sang Won Seo; Hana Cho; Joon-Kyung Seong; Hong Jin Jeon Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 4.379