Examining the interaction of autism spectrum disorder-related traits and unit cohesion on suicide risk among military personnel

Abstract

Background: Suicide rates are elevated among United States (U.S.) military service members. Research has found that service members with autism spectrum disorder-related (ASD-related) traits are at increased risk for suicide. Complementary lines of inquiry have suggested that unit cohesion is a protective factor against developing suicidal ideation in military service members. However, given the social difficulties inherent in ASD, it is unclear whether unit cohesion might protect against suicide risk in this population. Method: Our sample consisted of 285 active duty U.S. military service members recruited online. We examined the interaction between ASD-related traits (as measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), unit cohesion, and suicide risk (as measured by the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised [SBQ-R]). We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether unit cohesion attenuates the association between ASD-related traits and suicidal intent. Results: Elevated ASD-related traits were independently associated with higher levels of global suicide risk; however, unit cohesion was not independently associated with suicide risk. Unit cohesion did not significantly interact with ASD-related traits to predict suicide risk. Finally, we found that elevated ASD-related traits and unit cohesion have an independent effect on current suicidal intent. Discussion: Our findings suggest that unit cohesion might not buffer the effect of ASD-related traits on suicide risk. However, our results do show that greater unit cohesion may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent. This study is limited by a cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures.

Autism and Suicide: Strategies to Dovetail Emerging Evidence in Child and Adolescent Suicide Risk Assessments

“…The rst two and associated social dissatisfaction correlated with current suicidal ideation, and history of depression (Dow et al, 2021). However, unit cohesion did not prove to be a protective factor in the military, where a high rate of STB in ASD is noted, but may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent as a protective factor (Gallyer et al, 2020). .…”

Is camouflaging autistic traits associated with defeat, entrapment, and lifetime suicidal thoughts? Expanding the Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicide

“…Autism and autistic traits are not currently considered in models of suicide (Cassidy, 2020). Yet, research shows that autism diagnosis and autistic traits are associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (e.g., Cassidy et al, 2014, 2022; Cassidy, Bradley, Shaw, et al, 2018; Gallyer et al, 2020; Hedley et al, 2021; Hedley & Uljarević, 2018; Newell et al, 2023; Paquette‐Smith et al, 2014; Pelton & Cassidy, 2017; Takara & Kondo, 2014). However, there is comparatively little research into why this is the case (Cassidy, Robertson, et al, 2020; Cassidy & Rodgers, 2017).…”