Ursano RJ, et al. - This study incorporated the investigation of the correlations between family violence (FV) history with suicide attempt (SA) risk among U.S. army soldiers. The highest SA risk was noted in the initial months following the first FV event, which was indicated via a discrete-time hazard function. It was significant for taking into account the FV, in order to comprehend the risk of SA among soldiers.

Methods

• The person-month records of active duty, Regular Army were identified through the administrative data from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS).
• This research recruited soldiers with medically documented SAs from 2004-2009 (n=9,650) and a sample of control person-months (n=153,528).
• The correlation between FV with SA was explored via logistic regression analyses, adjusting for socio-demographics, service-related characteristics, and prior mental health diagnosis.

Results

• Higher odds of SA were reported among soldiers with a FV history.
• This appeared to rise as the number of FV events increased.
• Soldiers experiencing past-month FV exhibited an almost five times greater tendency to attempt suicide than those with no FV history.
• Elevated odds of SA were noted among both perpetrators and those who were exclusively victims.
• Male perpetrators displayed higher odds of SA than male victims.
• In contrast, the female perpetrators and female victims did not exhibit any variation in SA risk.