Abstract
Background: Suicidal ideation is a problem that disproportionately affects veterans. Moreover, veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appear to be at particularly high risk for suicide. Objective: The purpose of the present research was to examine whether shame mediates the association between PTSD and suicidal ideation. Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted in a sample of 201 veterans with PTSD seeking care through an outpatient Veterans Affairs specialty PTSD clinic. Results: Path analysis revealed that shame fully accounted for the effects of PTSD on suicidal ideation, suggesting that shame may represent a key link between PTSD and suicidal ideation among veterans. Limitations: Although the reverse mediation effect was also examined, the present sample was cross-sectional and predominantly male. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that shame may be an effective point of treatment intervention to reduce suicidal ideation among veterans with PTSD; however, additional prospective research is still needed to delineate the precise nature of these associations over time.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 216-219 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
Volume | 243 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 15 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Emotions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Shame
- Suicidal ideation
- Suicide
- Veterans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology