Citation

Mavandadi S, Rook KS, Newsom JT, Oslin DW. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2013; 48(2): 233-243.

Affiliation

Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, B215, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA, Shahrzad.Mavandadi@va.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-012-0534-5

PMID

22722536

Abstract

PURPOSE: The current study examined the independent association between positive (e.g., emotional and instrumental support) and negative (e.g., insensitive behavior, unwanted advice from others) social exchanges and suicidal ideation among veterans referred for a behavioral health assessment. METHODS: The sample included 606 veterans [mean age = 54.96 (SD = 14.96)] referred by primary care for a clinical mental health/substance abuse (MH/SA) assessment following a positive MH/SA screen. Data on sociodemographics, MH/SA conditions (e.g., depression, PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol abuse), the self-reported frequency of positive and negative social exchanges, and suicidal ideation were extracted from clinical interviews and evaluated. RESULTS: Veterans were primarily male, non-married, and had adequate financial resources, and approximately half were White. 74.4 and 20.3 % met criteria for a MH/SA condition and suicidal ideation, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that, adjusting for sociodemographics, physical functioning, and comorbid MH/SA conditions, veterans reporting more frequent negative exchanges with network members were significantly more likely to report suicidal ideation. Positive exchanges, in contrast, were not significantly related to the outcome. Inadequate finances and MH/SA conditions also were significantly related to suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the value of exploring the quality of social exchanges among veterans in primary care who screen positive for behavioral health issues, as such information has the potential to inform screening and intervention efforts aimed at reducing suicidal ideation.

Language: en