Citation

Levi-Belz Y, Zerach G, Solomon Z. Arch. Suicide Res. 2014; 19(2): 231-248.

Affiliation

Department of Behavioral Sciences , Ruppin Academic Center , Emek-Hefer , Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2013.845123

PMID

25010463

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to assess the relations between war captivity, PTSD, suicidal ideation (SI) and deliberate self-harm (DSH) among former prisoners of war (ex-POWs).

METHODS: Israeli ex-POWs (N = 176) and a matched control group of combat veterans (controls; N = 118) were assessed using self-report measures.

RESULTS: Ex-POWs with PTSD reported higher levels of both SI and DSH compared to ex-POWs and comparable veterans without PTSD. Furthermore, captivity-related variables as well as PTSD symptom clusters were positively related to both SI and DSH. However, only loss of emotional control in captivity and posttraumatic intrusion and emotional numbing symptoms, predicted SI.

CONCLUSION: Ex-POWs with PTSD endorse high levels of SI and DSH. Among ex-POWs, both SI and DSH share similar captivity-related and posttraumatic symptoms correlates but only posttraumatic intrusion and emotional numbing symptoms predict SI.

Language: en