Is Emotion Dysregulation Associated With Suicidal Ideation in Post 9/11 Veterans?

Abstract

Emotion dysregulation, a risk factor for suicide ideation and attempts, has not been studied in U.S. veterans of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND). Data were collected through standardized telephone interviews and computer-based surveys from 278 OEF/OIF/OND veterans (70.6% male, 29.4% female). Bivariate analyses indicated that emotion dysregulation was associated with suicidal ideation during the past-three-months (r = 0.30, p < 0.05) and lifetime suicide attempts (r = 0.21, p < 0.05). When PTSD and depression symptoms were added to a sequential logistic regression model, emotion dysregulation was no longer significantly associated with ideation or attempt. Emotion dysregulation was associated with suicidal ideation and attempt; however, current distress had greater associations. Dysregulation is one of several factors in veteran suicide risk.

Keywords:

•  suicide
• suicidal ideation
• veterans
• emotion dysregulation

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

SED is a trainer-in-training with Behavioral Tech, LLC, which provides training and consultation on dialectical behavior therapy and evidence-based psychotherapies. Dr. Decker works with the VA and Yale to manage any conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by support from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development, Clinical Science Research and Development (ZDA1, PI: Hoff). SED, RAH, SM, and SWK are full-time employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The content of this manuscript does not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies and reflects the views of the authors.

Notes on contributors

Suzanne E. Decker

Suzanne E. Decker, PhD, VISN 1 New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-Morbidities, and Education Center, West Haven, CT, USA.

Rani Hoff

Rani Hoff, MPH, PhD, VISN 1 New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Steve Martino

Steve Martino, PhD, VISN 1 New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Carolyn M. Mazure

Carolyn M. Mazure, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Women’s Health Research at Yale, New Haven, CT, USA.

Crystal L. Park

Crystal L. Park, PhD, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.

Elizabeth Porter

Elizabeth Porter, MBA, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Shane W. Kraus

Shane W. Kraus, PhD, VISN 1 New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, West Haven, CT, USA; University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.