Abstract

Suicide exposure is associated with an increased risk for suicide. There is limited research on the mechanisms that increase this risk. This study aims to: (1) compare suicide exposure and associated variables in veteran, active duty, and civilian participants, (2) examine the extent to which fearlessness about death and suicide risk factors differ as a function of group membership and suicide exposure, and (3) determine the degree to which relationship to the decedent, perceived closeness, and reported impact of the death are associated with fearlessness about death and suicide-related outcomes. 1,533 participants were included, of whom 48% of active duty service members, 65% of veterans, and 58% of civilians reported knowing someone who died by suicide. A series of regressions were conducted. There were group differences by military service on the suicide exposure variables. Furthermore, there were significant main effects for military service group and suicide exposure on the outcome variables. In general, civilians reported greater suicide risk and active duty service members reported greater fearlessness about death. Fearlessness about death mediated the associations between perceived closeness and a history of suicide attempts. The loss of a military colleague to suicide was found to be unique and distinguishable from other important relationships. Results suggest the need to consider suicide exposure and closeness as salient variables associated with fearlessness about death and suicide risk factors. Inquiring about suicide exposure, closeness to the decedent, fearlessness about death, and beyond familial losses to suicide may indicate important avenues of intervention.

摘要

自杀暴露与自杀风险增加有关。关于增加这种风险的机制的研究有限。本研究旨在：（1）比较退伍军人、现役和平民参与者的自杀暴露和相关变量，（2）检查对死亡的无畏和自杀风险因素的不同程度，作为团体成员和自杀暴露的函数， (3) 确定与死者的关系、感知的亲近程度和死亡的报告影响与对死亡和自杀相关结果的无畏程度相关的程度。包括 1,533 名参与者，其中 48% 的现役军人、65% 的退伍军人和 58% 的平民报告说知道有人死于自杀。进行了一系列回归。服兵役的自杀暴露变量存在组别差异。此外，兵役组和自杀暴露对结果变量有显着的主效应。一般来说，平民报告的自杀风险更大，现役军人报告的死亡风险更大。对死亡的恐惧介导了感知亲密与自杀未遂史之间的关联。发现一名军事同事死于自杀是独一无二的，并且与其他重要关系不同。结果表明，有必要将自杀暴露和亲近视为与对死亡和自杀风险因素的无畏相关的显着变量。询问自杀暴露，与死者的亲密关系，对死亡的无畏，