Unit cohesion and social support as protective factors against suicide risk and depression among National Guard Service members

Rugo, K.F., Leifker, F. R., Drake-Brooks, M. M., Snell, M. B., Bryan, C. J., & Bryan, A. O. (2020). Unit cohesion and social support as protective factors against suicide risk and depression among National Guard service members. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 39(3), 214-228. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2020.39.3.214

National Guard Service members tend to have a higher risk for mental health difficulties, especially suicide risk, compared to active-duty and Reserve members. This study examined social support (i.e., feeling valued, like someone cares, and that others will help in times of need) and unit cohesion (i.e., connection with fellow unit members) as protective factors against mental health issues— namely, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation—in a sample of 877 National Guard Service members. These Service members were from 40 different military units, so within-unit comparisons (differences between individuals who are part of the same unit) and between-unit comparisons (differences between units) were made. Social support appears to be a protective factor against depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation at the individual and unit levels.

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