Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans' Experiences of Habituation to Pain, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Failed Belongingness

Completed

Conditions studied: Suicide

In brief

Veterans possess significant risk factors for self-directed violence (SDV). For example, depressed Veterans are at a greater risk for SDV than the general population. Although depressed male Veterans die by suicide at a higher rate than do their female counterparts (Zivin et al., 2007), female Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans are at higher risk for depression than males (Seal et al., 2009). Joiner's (2005) theory states that suicidal individuals (a) perceive themselves to be unbearable burdens onto others; (b) view their efforts at establishing and maintaining social connections as having been thwarted or failed; and (c) have developed the ability to engage in SDV due to from increased habituation to pain. This two-part study uses semi-structured interviews in an effort to determine the extent to which Joiner's theory is applicable to OEF/OIF Veterans. Part I of this study, which has been completed, assessed the components of this theory among primarily male OEF/OIF Veterans. Part II of this study is assessing this theory's components among female OEF/OIF Veterans. Participants were recruited from the female OEF/OIF Veteran population receiving services through the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS). Comparisons across the interview responses will be made to identify commonalities among the participants' experiences.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT01334385
Run by
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
People needed
35
Starts
2007-03-01
Expected to finish
2010-11-01
Last updated by the study team
2011-04-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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