Title

Ten-Year Trend and Correlates of Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Young Male Veteran Suicide Decedents-Results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 U.S. States, 2005-2014

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-29-2018

Abstract

Objective:This study examined trends and correlates of reported post-traumaticstress disorder (PTSD) among young male Veteran suicide decedents, using datafrom the National Violent Death Reporting System from 2005–2014 on 1,362male U.S. Veteran suicide decedents aged 18–34 years.Methods:Prevalence of reported PTSD (i.e., diagnosis/symptoms) was determinedby mental health diagnostic fields and narratives and examined by year.Demographic, incident, and precipitating circumstance characteristics correlatedwith reported PTSD were identified.Results:One-hundred ninety-eight (15%) decedents had PTSD evidence. A 30-fold increase in reported PTSD prevalence occurred among decedents aged 25–34 years; however, no increase was observed among younger decedents. ReportedPTSD was associated with past deployments (odds ratio (OR): 14.5, 95%confidence interval (95% CI): 9.0–23.4); depression (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.6);and divorce (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.7). Recent crisis (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9)was inversely associated with reported PTSD.Conclusions:Reported PTSD prevalence substantially increased among Veteransuicide decedents aged 25–34 years suggesting it is beginning to play a larger rolein suicide for this group. Few correlated suicide risk factors were found, suggestingthat if symptoms of PTSD are present, heightened vigilance by providers forsuicide risk might be warranted, irrespective of evidence of other risk factors.

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