Non‐suicidal self‐injury in US military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Abstract

Background To evaluate the prevalence of lifetime non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) among US military veterans and identify sociodemographic, military, psychiatric and clinical correlates associated with NSSI. Methods Data were analysed from the 2019–2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a contemporary, nationally representative survey of 4069 US veterans. Outcomes measured included lifetime history of NSSI, trauma history, lifetime and current DSM‐V mental disorders and lifetime and recent suicidal behaviours. Results The overall prevalence of lifetime NSSI was 4.2% (95% confidence interval [3.6%, 4.9%]). Multivariable analyses revealed that veterans who endorsed lifetime NSSI were more likely to be younger, female, non‐Caucasian, unmarried or unpartnered, and to have a lower annual household income. Veterans who endorsed lifetime NSSI reported more adverse childhood experiences and lifetime traumas and were more likely to have experienced military sexual trauma. They also were more likely to screen positive for lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD) and substance use disorders and to have attempted suicide. Finally, lifetime NSSI was associated with current MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorders, as well as past‐year suicidal ideation. Conclusion Results of this study provide the first‐known data on the epidemiology of NSSI in US military veterans. They suggest that certain correlates can help identify veterans who may be at greater risk for engaging in NSSI, as well as the potential prognostic utility of lifetime NSSI in predicting current psychiatric problems and suicide risk in this population.

Characterizing the Influence of Exposure to Military Sexual Trauma and Intimate Partner Violence on Mental Health Outcomes among Female Veterans

“…Almost half (46%) of our sample screened positive for current suicidal ideation; however, the severity of suicidal ideation did not differ depending on trauma type. These results are consistent with past work demonstrating high prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and attempts in Veterans (Kachadourian et al, 2022; Lemle, 2020; Nichter et al, 2021). Thus, although interpersonal trauma may increase severity of PTSD and depression symptoms which is related to suicidal ideation (Arenson et al, 2018; Forehand et al, 2019; Herzog et al, 2022), suicide screening should occur in all FVets who have experienced trauma in general.…”

Interpersonal stress and nonsuicidal self‐injury disorder in veterans: An ecological momentary assessment study

“…Prevalence rates of lifetime NSSI are approximately 5% in the adult general population, although veterans endorse higher rates of NSSI engagement (Klonsky, 2011;Swannell et al, 2014). Rates of lifetime NSSI in non-treatment seeking veterans range from 4% to 16% with prevalence rates as high as 62% in veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Bryan et al, 2014;Kachadourian et al, 2021;Kimbrel et al, 2015Kimbrel et al, , 2018Lear et al, 2021).…”

Enhancing Prolonged Exposure therapy for PTSD using physiological biomarker-driven technology

“…Military veterans are at increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating and chronic mental health disorder [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] ]. If left untreated, PTSD increases risk of other psychiatric disorders (e.g., substance use disorders), medical problems, social/family impairment, employment problems, and suicidal ideation and attempts [ [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] ].…”