Life after loss: Comparing student service member/veteran and civilian mental health characteristics among individuals exposed to death by suicide

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 197 - 206
• Main Authors: Chen, Jason I., Bozzay, Melanie L., Monahan, Maureen F., Gryglewicz, Kim, Romero, Gabriela, Steding, Lindsey H., Gleason, LaDonna L., Karver, Marc S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 03.04.2019; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Beliefs; College Students; Comparative Analysis; Counseling; Death & dying; Health beliefs; health education; Health Services; Help Seeking; Help seeking behavior; Matched Groups; Measures (Individuals); Mental Health; Military Personnel; Participant Characteristics; Polls & surveys; Prevention; Prevention programs; Preventive medicine; Program Development; Servicemen; Student Attitudes; Suicide; Veterans; health education; veterans; mental health; Counseling; suicide
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1469500

Objective: This study evaluated the mental health characteristics and beliefs of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) who have been exposed to another's death by suicide. Participants: A total of 39 SSM/Vs exposed to suicide and 32 SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide were sampled from a larger, epidemiological survey. An age- and gender-matched group of 39 civilian (C) students was drawn from a larger sample of individuals exposed to suicide. Methods: Data were collected as part of an Internet-based, campus needs survey that occurred in Fall 2014. Participants were asked to complete measures about suicide-related behaviors, suicide prevention, help-seeking, and demographics. Results: SSM/Vs exposed to suicide had more positive mental health/suicide prevention beliefs than SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide. Cs exposed to suicide were not significantly different from either group. Unique help-seeking patterns were also identified. Conclusions: The current study identifies unique characteristics of SSM/Vs exposed to suicide that may inform prevention programming.