Nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide attempts in Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans

Abstract

The present study examined the association between history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and history of suicide attempts (SA) among 292 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, half of whom carried a lifetime diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consistent with hypotheses, veterans who reported a history of NSSI were significantly more likely to report a history of SA than veterans without a history of NSSI. In addition, logistic regression demonstrated that NSSI remained a significant predictor of SA even after a wide range of covariates (i.e., combat exposure, traumatic brain injury, PTSD depression, alcohol dependence) were considered. Taken together, these findings suggest that clinicians working with veterans should include NSSI history as part of their standard risk assessment battery.

The relationship between nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior and manners of death: a multicenter autopsy study

“…Cooper et al and Hawton et al concluded that, in the first 12 months after self-harm, the risk of suicide was 30 or 49 times greater than the average, respectively (27,28). In three different studies, Kimbrel et al suggested that NSSIB was a robust predictor of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in veterans with PTSD (29)(30)(31). Kaya et al from Turkey declared that NSSIB was a risk factor for suicidal depression and attempts (6).…”

Nonsuicidal self-injury and interpersonal violence in U.S. veterans seeking help for posttraumatic stress disorder

“…Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as deliberately damaging one's body tissue without conscious suicidal intent (Chapman et al, 2006; Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2014). The most common methods of NSSI include self-burning, self-cutting, self-hitting, and severe scratching (Klonsky, 2011).…”

“…It is estimated that 6% of the U.S. general population will engage in NSSI at some point in their lifetime (Briere and Gil, 1998; Klonsky, 2011). Although NSSI has historically been viewed as more common among females than males, population-based studies of NSSI have consistently failed to find evidence for sex differences in rates of NSSI among adults (Kimbrel et al, 2016). NSSI has been associated with significantly increased risk of suicidal behavior in military and veteran samples (Bryan et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2014).…”

“…Although NSSI has historically been viewed as more common among females than males, population-based studies of NSSI have consistently failed to find evidence for sex differences in rates of NSSI among adults (Kimbrel et al, 2016). NSSI has been associated with significantly increased risk of suicidal behavior in military and veteran samples (Bryan et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2014). Further, high rates of NSSI have been found among treatment seeking, psychiatric populations of veterans (Bryan and Bryan, 2014; Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2014).…”

“…NSSI has been associated with significantly increased risk of suicidal behavior in military and veteran samples (Bryan et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2014). Further, high rates of NSSI have been found among treatment seeking, psychiatric populations of veterans (Bryan and Bryan, 2014; Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2014). Studies of treatment seeking male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have documented that as many as 57%-66% have a lifetime history of NSSI (Kimbrel et al, 2016; Kimbrel et al, 2015; Kimbrel et al, 2014; Sacks et al, 2008).…”