Differentiating U.S. military women veterans with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and no suicidal ideation or attempts

The current study leveraged data from a representative sample of U.S. women veterans to investigate factors that differentiate women veterans who report lifetime suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt(s) (SI/SA), and no SI/SA. We examined sociodemographic, military, and other mental and medical health characteristics as potential risk indicators differentiating women veterans with only SI, SI/SA, and no SI/SA. We used multinomial logistic regression analyses and post-hoc relative important analyses to determine the relative contribution of significant variables. Relative to women veterans with SI only, those with SI/SA reported more adverse childhood experiences, and were more likely to screen positive for alcohol and substance use disorders. Relative to women veterans with no SI/SA, those with SI only had greater cumulative trauma burden, and were more likely to screen positive for major depressive disorder and disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) and/or instrumental ADLs. The present study's determination of indicators that differentiate suicide risk groups of women veterans underscores the value of a nuanced approach to operationalizing suicide-related outcomes. The results may serve as a foundation for additional research and support targeted prevention and intervention efforts.