Abstract
In this study, we examined the indirect effect of the Virtual Hope Box (VHB) smartphone application on suicidal ideation, mediated through coping self-efficacy. A total of 117 veterans with suicidal ideation completed measures on coping self-efficacy and suicidal ideation at baseline and weeks 3, 6, and 12. Participants were randomly assigned to either the VHB or enhanced treatment as usual (eTAU) condition. Parallel process growth curve modeling (−0.20 [95% CI = −0.44, 0.00]) and auto-regressive modeling (−0.12 [95% CI = −0.35, −0.01]) revealed that a higher rate of change in coping self-efficacy in the VHB group was associated with a decrease in suicidal ideation severity, as compared to the eTAU group. Findings suggest that coping self-efficacy may be one mechanism by which the VHB operates to help reduce suicidal ideation. More broadly, the role of coping self-efficacy in reducing suicidal ideation is worthy of future study.
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Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge Aysha Crain, LCSW, Holly Williams, BA, Maura Pisciotta, MS, and April Lee, MPH for their assistance with participant recruitment and data collection.
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Notes on contributors
Lauren M. Denneson
Lauren M. Denneson, PhD, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, and Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Derek J. Smolenski
Derek J. Smolenski, PhD, MPH, Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Tacoma, Washington, USA.
Brian W. Bauer
Brian W. Bauer, MS, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Steven K. Dobscha
Steven K. Dobscha, MD, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, and Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Nigel E. Bush
Nigel E. Bush, PhD, Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Tacoma, Washington, USA.