Adam P McGuire1, Joanna G Fagan2, Jack Tsai3, Addie N Merians4, Brandon Nichter5, Sonya B Norman6, Steven M Southwick7, Robert H Pietrzak8. 1. Department of Psychology and Counseling, The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA; VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, 4800 Memorial Dr (151C), Waco, TX, 76711, USA; Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, 1901 Veterans Memorial Dr, Temple, TX 76504, USA. Electronic address: amcguire@uttyler.edu. 2. Department of Psychology and Counseling, The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA. 3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, Tampa, FL, USA; School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1200 Pressler Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George St #901, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George St #901, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA. 5. Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. 6. Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, 215 N Main St, White River Junction, VT, 05005, USA; VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA. 7. Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George St #901, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. 8. Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George St #901, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dispositional gratitude has been implicated as a psychological characteristic that may modulate risk for mental health outcomes. Using a population-based sample of U.S. military veterans, this study evaluated the association between dispositional gratitude and the development of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors over a 7-year period. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans was surveyed at four timepoints across seven years. Analyses were restricted to veterans without incident outcomes at baseline. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the relation between baseline levels of dispositional gratitude and risk of developing (a) major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); (b) suicidal ideation; and (c) suicide attempts. RESULTS: A total 9.6% of veterans developed MDD, GAD, and/or PTSD, 9.5% developed suicidal ideation, and 2.8% reported having attempted suicide over the 7-year follow-up period. Among veterans with high levels of dispositional gratitude, incidence was lower for MDD/GAD/PTSD (8.0%), suicidal ideation (6.8%), and suicide attempts (1.5%). Conversely, veterans with low dispositional gratitude were at substantially higher risk of developing MDD/GAD/PTSD (27.7%), suicidal ideation (33.6%), and suicide attempts (20.3%). CONCLUSIONS: High dispositional gratitude may help protect against the development of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors in U.S. military veterans, whereas low gratitude may increase risk of developing these outcomes. Collectively, these results support the potential utility of enhancing gratitude as part of primary prevention efforts for veterans, service members, and other populations at heightened risk for adverse mental health outcomes. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
BACKGROUND: Dispositional gratitude has been implicated as a psychological characteristic that may modulate risk for mental health outcomes. Using a population-based sample of U.S. military veterans, this study evaluated the association between dispositional gratitude and the development of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors over a 7-year period. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans was surveyed at four timepoints across seven years. Analyses were restricted to veterans without incident outcomes at baseline. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the relation between baseline levels of dispositional gratitude and risk of developing (a) major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); (b) suicidal ideation; and (c) suicide attempts. RESULTS: A total 9.6% of veterans developed MDD, GAD, and/or PTSD, 9.5% developed suicidal ideation, and 2.8% reported having attempted suicide over the 7-year follow-up period. Among veterans with high levels of dispositional gratitude, incidence was lower for MDD/GAD/PTSD (8.0%), suicidal ideation (6.8%), and suicide attempts (1.5%). Conversely, veterans with low dispositional gratitude were at substantially higher risk of developing MDD/GAD/PTSD (27.7%), suicidal ideation (33.6%), and suicide attempts (20.3%). CONCLUSIONS: High dispositional gratitude may help protect against the development of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors in U.S. military veterans, whereas low gratitude may increase risk of developing these outcomes. Collectively, these results support the potential utility of enhancing gratitude as part of primary prevention efforts for veterans, service members, and other populations at heightened risk for adverse mental health outcomes. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Authors: Noelle B Smith; Natalie Mota; Jack Tsai; Lindsey Monteith; Ilan Harpaz-Rotem; Steven M Southwick; Robert H Pietrzak Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2016-03-02 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: Natalie P Mota; Jack Tsai; Jitender Sareen; Brian P Marx; Blair E Wisco; Ilan Harpaz-Rotem; Steven M Southwick; John H Krystal; Robert H Pietrzak Journal: World Psychiatry Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 49.548
Authors: Blair E Wisco; Brian P Marx; Erika J Wolf; Mark W Miller; Steven M Southwick; Robert H Pietrzak Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2014-12 Impact factor: 5.906