The influence of romantic relationships in assessment of suicide risk in U.S. Army soldiers

Chalker, S. A., Khalifian, C. E., Milano, R., Dende, J., & Jobes, D. A. (2022). The influence of romantic relationships in assessment of suicide risk in U.S. Army Soldiers. Military Psychology, 34(5), 622-628. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2028532

This study explored how romantic relationships and problems that stem from these relationships were implicated in suicidal ideation and self-inflicted injuries among Soldiers. 72 U.S. Army Infantry Soldiers who were seeking help for suicide risk completed the Suicide Status Form (SSF-IV) with a clinician. This form assists clinicians in identifying “drivers” of suicidal ideation and behaviors and, in turn, selecting the focus of clinical treatment. Data from the SSF-IV, as well as additional interviews and assessments of suicidal ideation and self-inflicted injury, were used to identify the frequency with which romantic relationships were reported and how romantic relationships, particularly problems within them, were related to reasons for living vs. reasons for dying, suicidal ideation, and self-inflicted injuries. Romantic relationships were endorsed among 73.6% of the Soldiers on the SSF-IV, meaning that Soldiers reported that their romantic relationships were related to reasons for living and dying, with reasons for living being reported more frequently. Additionally, having romantic relationship problems was related to greater risk of lifetime self-inflicted injuries.

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