Affective Depression Mediates PTSD to Suicide in Sample of Post-9/11 Combat Veterans

Combat veterans are at high risk for suicide; consequently, it is paramount to examine factors that may relate to lower levels of suicide among this population. This study examined if somatic depression or affective depression symptoms mediate the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal behaviors in a treatment-seeking sample of post-9/11 combat veterans. Fluid Vulnerability Theory was utilized as a theoretical framework. We conducted two PROCESS simple mediation models with PTSD as the predictor, affective depression and somatic depression as the mediators, and suicidality as the dependent variable, while controlling for generalized anxiety. We found that affective depression significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD and suicidal behaviors, while somatic depression symptoms did not. In both simple mediation models, the direct effect of PTSD to suicidal behaviors was significant. This study provides a unique perspective on suicidal behavior in combat veterans and offers insights into the nature of mediating relationships between affective depression and somatic depression and suicidal behavior

Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

• Sex-Specific Associations Between Cannabis Use, Suicidal Intent, and Suicidal Ideation Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans

  Open Access•Elina A Stefanovics, Marc N Potenza et al.•Journal of Community Health•2026

  Añadir item

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

  American Psychiatric Association American Psychiatric Association, Ewer Ewer•Diagnostic And Statistical Manual…•2013

  Añadir item

• The Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R)

  Open Access•Augustine Osman, Courtney L Bagge et al.•Assessment•2001

  Añadir item

• Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth Edition (PCL-5) in veterans.

  Open Access•Michelle J Bovin, Brian P Marx et al.•Psychological Assessment•2016

  Añadir item

• Suicide, Suicide Attempts, and Suicidal Ideation

  E David Klonsky, Alexis May et al.•Annual Review of Clinical…•2016

  Añadir item

• The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans

  Open Access•Jessica J Fulton, Patrick S Calhoun et al.•Journal of Anxiety Disorders•2015

  Añadir item

• The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5)

  Open Access•Christy A Blevins, Frank W Weathers et al.•Journal of Traumatic Stress•2015

  Añadir item

• A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  Robert L Spitzer, Carmen Pérez de los Ríos et al.•A.M.A. Archives of Internal…•2006

  Añadir item

• The PHQ-8 as a measure of current depression in the general population

  Open Access•Kurt Kroenke, Tara W Strine et al.•Journal of Affective Disorders•2009

  Añadir item

• Does Attachment Mediate PTSD and Suicidality in a Sample of Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Combat Veterans

  Open Access•Jose Carbajal, Warren N Ponder•Journal of Veterans Studies•2022

  Añadir item

• Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors

  Joseph C Franklin, Jessica D Ribeiro et al.•Psychological Bulletin•2017

  Añadir item