Citation

Smith-Osborne A, Maleku A, Morgan S. Traumatology 2017; 23(1): 49-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Publisher APA Journals)

DOI

10.1037/trm0000092

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide is a concern in the armed forces both because of the increased risk due to the high prevalence of mental health issues and its ripple effect. Increasing protective factors against suicide then, becomes crucial in reducing military suicide. This study used a pre/post quasi-experimental design to investigate 2 hypotheses over a 4-month intervention period. The sample was drawn from Army Reserve platoons that have received Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (N = 131). Age significantly positively correlated with pretest resilience scores, whereas pretest suicidality scores were not significantly correlated with any predictors. Posttest hopelessness scores decreased over the intervention period. Administrative records documented that the high training group had fewer reported suicide attempts and reports of suicidal ideation than the low training group.

RESULTS provided preliminary evidence that this peer model may change relevant variables related to suicidality and support the need for direct investigation on efficacy of such primary prevention programs on resilience and target suicide risk factors and whether they are ameliorated by peer model interventions.

RESULTS may also add to resilience theory development regarding applicability of the resilience construct in populations with less defined conditions of cumulative trauma or adversity. © 2016 American Psychological Association.

Language: en

Keywords

Military; Peer interventions; Prevention; Resilience; Suicide; Trauma-exposed