(PS2-B30) Examining the Impact of Suicide Exposure in the Military: Does It Differ by Gender?

Introduction: Military suicide prevention remains a high priority. Evidence suggests that suicide risk and risk factors among active duty service members (ADSM) differ by gender, but much remains unknown. Research from veteran and civilian populations show that suicide exposure (knowing someone who died by suicide) can increase the risk of suicidality, but it is unclear whether this relationship may differ by gender among ADSM. The objective of this study was to examine the gender differences in the relationship between suicide exposure and suicidality among ADSM.

Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey database was conducted. The dataset (N=1677 ADSM) included demographic characteristics, lifetime suicide exposure, lifetime suicide attempts, and current degree of suicidal ideation. Gender stratified multiple linear regression models adjusting for age, race, education, marital status, and prior suicide attempts were computed.

Results: Participants included 361 women (42.6% non-Hispanic White, 25.1% Black, 17.7% Hispanic, 14.9% Asian or mixed) and 1316 men (60.5% non-Hispanic White, 13.3% Black, 15.4% Hispanic, 10.7% Asian or mixed). Forty percent of women and 35.7% of men reported prior suicide exposure. Among women, suicide exposure was significantly inversely associated with current suicidality (b=−0.77, SE=0.33, p< .05); the relationship was not significant among men (b=0.30, SE=0.18, p=0.09).

Discussion: In this sample, suicide exposure affected men and women differently, such that it was protective among women only. These findings suggest that suicide postvention efforts may need to be tailored by gender; however, more research is needed to examine the myriad ways in which suicide exposure may affect ADSM.