Distress, Grief, and Functionality following Military Unit Suicide Exposure

Abstract

Given the high prevalence of suicide within the military context, there is a need to understand the impact of suicide within the military unit and assess factors that mitigate unfavorable outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of military service members exposed to unit suicide and to examine demographic and psychosocial factors associated with military suicide exposure. Demographic, psychosocial, and exposure data were collected from 1,555 service members and veterans using an online survey. Additional data on exposure to trauma, closeness to the decedent, and unit social support were collected and analyzed as potential factors influencing grief, psychological distress, and functioning in those exposed to suicide. Service members and veterans who lost more than three unit members to suicide experienced significantly greater psychological distress than participants who lost one unit member to suicide. Lifetime trauma exposure was significantly related to greater distress and functional impairment. Perceived closeness was significantly related to greater grief, while increased unit social support was significantly related to less functional impairment. These findings suggest that suicide postvention efforts should focus on unit members most at risk for negative psychological and functional outcomes.

Keywords:

• Suicide exposure
• military
• veteran
• trauma
• grief
• psychological distress
• functioning
• perceived closeness
• social support
• online survey

Acknowledgements

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of each and every service member and veteran who took the time to complete the online questionnaire, to share his or her perspectives, and to help us in our fight to do the best we can for those who have lost someone special to suicide.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the United States Navy OPNAV N171, 21st Century Sailor Office Navy Suicide Prevention Program.