Journal of Psychiatry

The role of past suicidal behavior on current suicidality: a Retrospective study in the Israeli Military

Annual World Congress on Psychiatry

July 19, 2021 | Webinar

Jessica M. Rabbany

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: JOP

Abstract:

Past suicide attempts are a significant risk factor for future suicidality. Therefore, the present, military-based, study examined the past suicidal behavior of soldiers who recently made a severe suicide attempt. Our sample consisted of 65 active duty soldiers (61.5% Males), between the ages of 18 and 28 years old (M = 20.4, SD ± 1.3). Inclusion criteria was a recent severe suicide attempt, requiring at least a 24-hour hospitalization. This sample was divided into two groups, according to previous suicidal behavior, namely whether their first suicide attempt was before or after enlistment (n = 25; 38.5% and n = 40; 61.5%, respectively). We then examined the lethality and intent of the recent event in regards to this division. Four measures were used to assess the subjects’ suicidal characteristics: the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire, the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. No significant difference in the severity of the suicide attempts (either actual or potential severity) were found between those who had suicide attempts before enlistment and those who had their first attempt in the service. As a matter of fact, most of the suicide attempts that occurred for the first time during military service had used a violent method (58.3%, n = 21). Finally, using multivariate analyses, we found that current thoughts and behavior, rather than past suicidality, was the strongest predictor for the lethality of suicide attempts.

Biography :

Dr. Rabbany completed her Bachelors in Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley at the age of 20. She received her medical training at the Sackler School of Medicine. She is currently a Psychiatry Resident Physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and a Research Investigator at Cornell School of Medicine as well as at Columbia University. She is amongst the 2021 awardees of the SCPS/ PER Excellence in Psychiatric Education Award.