Veteran and partner interest in addressing suicidality from a couple-based treatment approach.

Abstract

Theories of suicide highlight the importance of healthy interpersonal connection and research has found that relationship problems are the most frequently endorsed stressor preceding attempts. However, established suicide interventions are individually focused and do not directly address the relational context. Additionally, it is unclear whether a couple-based suicide intervention would be acceptable to veterans and their partners. Utilizing two different treatment-seeking samples (N = 91), we examined veterans' and partners' desire for and willingness to engage in a couple-based suicide intervention and whether interest in such an intervention correlated with demographics or clinical symptom severity. Findings suggested that veterans and their partners have talked about suicidal thoughts with one another to some extent (77.7%-86.8%), are interested in a couple-based suicide intervention (55.3%-61.5%) or willing to learn more (23.1%-33.3%), and think their partners would be interested (47.4%-61.5%) or willing to learn more (26.9%-42.1%). There were few predictors of differences in interest. Overall, a couple-based suicide intervention appears to be acceptable and desirable by veterans in crisis and their partners.

The importance of romantic relationships in preventing suicide

“…Among a sample of individuals who had experienced suicidal thoughts or an attempt, 64% disclosed the suicidal thoughts or behaviors to their partners (Frey et al, 2016a). Among two samples of veterans and their romantic partners, 77.7% to 86.8% reported talking to one another about suicidal thoughts to some extent (Khalifian et al, 2021). In a study of Air Force service members who died by suicide, 35% communicated their suicide intent to their romantic partner within 24 h of their death (Martin et al, 2013).…”

Utilizing the couple relationship to prevent suicide: A preliminary examination of Treatment for Relationships and Safety Together

“…Although discussing suicide and disclosing suicidal thoughts and behaviors to a romantic partner can be challenging, a couple‐based suicide intervention could be relevant and beneficial. In addition, disclosure of suicide to family or friends can be associated with positive outcomes following a suicide attempt (Frey et al, 2019) and veterans and partners report interest in addressing suicide from a couple‐based approach (Khalifian et al, 2021).…”