274828 Suicidal Behavior in a National Sample of Older Veterans

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

John Schinka, PhD , Department of Veterans Affairs, Tampa, FL
Katherine Schinka, MS , Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Roger Casey, PhD , National Center on Homeless Among Veterans, Tampa, FL
Wes Kasprow, PhD , Homeless Programs, VA Northeast Program Evaluation Center, West Haven, CT
Robert. Bossarte, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
We examined self-reported suicidal behavior of older homeless veterans to establish frequencies and predictors of recent suicidal behaviors, and their impact on transitional housing interventions. We analyzed the records of a national sample of 10 111 veterans who participated in a transition housing program over a 6-year period, ending in 2008. Approximately 12% of homeless veterans reported suicidal ideation before program admission; 3% reported a suicide attempt in the 30 days before program admission. Older homeless veterans exhibiting suicidal behavior had histories of high rates of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Regression analyses showed that self-report of depression was the primary correlate of suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior before program entry did not predict intervention outcomes, such as program completion, housing outcome, and employment. Suicidal behavior was prevalent in older homeless veterans and was associated with a history of psychiatric disorder and substance abuse. Self-reported depression was associated with these behaviors at the time of housing intervention. Despite the association with poor mental health history, suicidal behavior in older homeless veterans did not impact outcomes of transitional housing interventions.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Program planning
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe associations between homelessness and suicidal behavior. Identify psychiatric factors associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior. Describe relationships between suicide behavior and use of medical and psychiatric services.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a longstanding researcher in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological and psychiatric disorders with over 100 publications. I have presented at the annual APHA meeting on the topic of veteran homelessness for the past two years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4211.0: Epidemiology of Suicide among Veterans and Active Duty Service Members