Citation

Braden A, Overholser J, Fisher L, Ridley J. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 2017; 36(8): 629-650.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Guilford Publications)

DOI

10.1521/jscp.2017.36.8.629

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Factors that buffer against depression and suicide in veterans have been identified, but most research has been conducted cross-sectionally with non-clinical samples. The aim of the current study was to examine life meaning as a protective factor against the progression of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation measured at a 4-month follow-up in a sample of chronically depressed veterans. Sixty depressed veterans completed a Structured Clinical Interview (SCID v2.0) and measures of life meaning (Life Regard Index-framework subscale), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-2), hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale), and suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation) at baseline and follow-up, 4 months later. Multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were performed. Analyses showed that life meaning was associated with reduced hopelessness 4-months later. Life meaning was also associated with recovery from a depressive episode, as measured by the SCID interview, 4-months later (p =.02). Life meaning may be a useful target in the treatment of chronically depressed veterans. © 2017 Guilford Publications, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Hopelessness; Life meaning; Veterans