Citation

Halimi R, Halimi H. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2015; 52(3): 263-266.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Turk Noro-Psikiyatri Derneginin Yayin Organidir)

DOI

10.5152/npa.2015.7592

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to (a) evaluate the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other comorbid disorders on suicidal risk among combat veterans and (b) evaluate the impact of psychosocial factors on the escalation of suicidal risk.

METHODS: Data were gathered from a random and representative sample of 215 Kosovo War veterans. Subjects were assessed for the presence of lifetime and current psychiatric disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Revision (DSM-IV TR) using the following questionnaires: Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS).

RESULTS: Suicidal ideations were observed in 44 (20.5%) of the 215 subjects. High suicide risk was found in 31.8% veterans diagnosed with PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder. In addition, high suicide risk was also observed in the group of unemployed veterans, veterans dissatisfied with social/economic attainment and veterans dissatisfied with living conditions.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed that socioeconomic factors contributes to the deterioration of symptoms of major depression, PTSD and other comorbid disorders, with a direct impact of worsening suicidal ideations and suicidal behavior among war veterans. © 2015 by Turkish Association of Neuropsychiatry.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; PTSD; suicidal ideation; major depression; suicidal behavior; risk assessment; comorbidity; veteran; posttraumatic stress disorder; unemployment; major clinical study; mental disease; controlled study; questionnaire; socioeconomics; social aspect; economic aspect; satisfaction; deterioration; Beck Depression Inventory; Psychosocial factors; Article; random sample; data extraction; Beck Suicide Intent Scale; Combat veterans; DSM-IV-TR; Harvard Trauma Questionnaire; Suicidal ideation/behavior