Jason I Chen1,2, Melanie L Bozzay3, Maureen F Monahan3, Kim Gryglewicz4, Gabriela Romero3, Lindsey H Steding5, LaDonna L Gleason6, Marc S Karver3. 1. a HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care , VA Portland Health Care System , Portland , OR , USA. 2. b Department of Psychiatry , Oregon Health & Science University , Portland , OR , USA. 3. c Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science , University of South Florida , Tampa , FL , USA. 4. d School of Social Work, College of Health and Public Affairs , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA. 5. e The Center for Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health , Cognitive Behavior Institute , Cranberry Township , PA , USA. 6. f Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences , University of South Carolina , Columbia , SC , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the mental health characteristics and beliefs of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) who have been exposed to another's death by suicide. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 39 SSM/Vs exposed to suicide and 32 SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide were sampled from a larger, epidemiological survey. An age- and gender-matched group of 39 civilian (C) students was drawn from a larger sample of individuals exposed to suicide. METHODS: Data were collected as part of an Internet-based, campus needs survey that occurred in Fall 2014. Participants were asked to complete measures about suicide-related behaviors, suicide prevention, help-seeking, and demographics. RESULTS: SSM/Vs exposed to suicide had more positive mental health/suicide prevention beliefs than SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide. Cs exposed to suicide were not significantly different from either group. Unique help-seeking patterns were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identifies unique characteristics of SSM/Vs exposed to suicide that may inform prevention programming.
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the mental health characteristics and beliefs of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) who have been exposed to another's death by suicide. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 39 SSM/Vs exposed to suicide and 32 SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide were sampled from a larger, epidemiological survey. An age- and gender-matched group of 39 civilian (C) students was drawn from a larger sample of individuals exposed to suicide. METHODS: Data were collected as part of an Internet-based, campus needs survey that occurred in Fall 2014. Participants were asked to complete measures about suicide-related behaviors, suicide prevention, help-seeking, and demographics. RESULTS: SSM/Vs exposed to suicide had more positive mental health/suicide prevention beliefs than SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide. Cs exposed to suicide were not significantly different from either group. Unique help-seeking patterns were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identifies unique characteristics of SSM/Vs exposed to suicide that may inform prevention programming.
Entities:
Keywords:
Counseling; health education; mental health; suicide; veterans