Austin J Gallyer1, Ian H Stanley2, Taylor N Day2, Thomas E Joiner2. 1. Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call St., Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States. Electronic address: gallyer@psy.fsu.edu. 2. Florida State University, Department of Psychology, 1107 West Call St., Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Suicide rates are elevated among United States (U.S.) military service members. Research has found that service members with autism spectrum disorder-related (ASD-related) traits are at increased risk for suicide. Complementary lines of inquiry have suggested that unit cohesion is a protective factor against developing suicidal ideation in military service members. However, given the social difficulties inherent in ASD, it is unclear whether unit cohesion might protect against suicide risk in this population. METHOD: Our sample consisted of 285 active duty U.S. military service members recruited online. We examined the interaction between ASD-related traits (as measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), unit cohesion, and suicide risk (as measured by the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised [SBQ-R]). We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether unit cohesion attenuates the association between ASD-related traits and suicidal intent. RESULTS: Elevated ASD-related traits were independently associated with higher levels of global suicide risk; however, unit cohesion was not independently associated with suicide risk. Unit cohesion did not significantly interact with ASD-related traits to predict suicide risk. Finally, we found that elevated ASD-related traits and unit cohesion have an independent effect on current suicidal intent. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that unit cohesion might not buffer the effect of ASD-related traits on suicide risk. However, our results do show that greater unit cohesion may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent. This study is limited by a cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures.
BACKGROUND: Suicide rates are elevated among United States (U.S.) military service members. Research has found that service members with autism spectrum disorder-related (ASD-related) traits are at increased risk for suicide. Complementary lines of inquiry have suggested that unit cohesion is a protective factor against developing suicidal ideation in military service members. However, given the social difficulties inherent in ASD, it is unclear whether unit cohesion might protect against suicide risk in this population. METHOD: Our sample consisted of 285 active duty U.S. military service members recruited online. We examined the interaction between ASD-related traits (as measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), unit cohesion, and suicide risk (as measured by the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised [SBQ-R]). We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether unit cohesion attenuates the association between ASD-related traits and suicidal intent. RESULTS: Elevated ASD-related traits were independently associated with higher levels of global suicide risk; however, unit cohesion was not independently associated with suicide risk. Unit cohesion did not significantly interact with ASD-related traits to predict suicide risk. Finally, we found that elevated ASD-related traits and unit cohesion have an independent effect on current suicidal intent. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that unit cohesion might not buffer the effect of ASD-related traits on suicide risk. However, our results do show that greater unit cohesion may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent. This study is limited by a cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures.
Authors: Kimberly A Van Orden; Tracy K Witte; Kelly C Cukrowicz; Scott R Braithwaite; Edward A Selby; Thomas E Joiner Journal: Psychol Rev Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 8.934
Authors: L Dell'Osso; B Carpita; D Muti; V Morelli; G Salarpi; A Salerni; J Scotto; G Massimetti; C Gesi; M Ballerio; M S Signorelli; M Luciano; P Politi; E Aguglia; C Carmassi; M Maj Journal: Compr Psychiatry Date: 2019-04-03 Impact factor: 3.735
Authors: M David Rudd; Craig J Bryan; Evelyn G Wertenberger; Alan L Peterson; Stacey Young-McCaughan; Jim Mintz; Sean R Williams; Kimberly A Arne; Jill Breitbach; Kenneth Delano; Erin Wilkinson; Travis O Bruce Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2015-02-13 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Matthew K Nock; Murray B Stein; Steven G Heeringa; Robert J Ursano; Lisa J Colpe; Carol S Fullerton; Irving Hwang; James A Naifeh; Nancy A Sampson; Michael Schoenbaum; Alan M Zaslavsky; Ronald C Kessler Journal: JAMA Psychiatry Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 21.596
Authors: Darren Hedley; Mirko Uljarević; Ru Ying Cai; Simon M Bury; Mark A Stokes; David W Evans Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-01-22 Impact factor: 3.240