![]() ![]() Yet, multiple deployments inherently increase potential for combat exposure, which may increase suicide risk (Bryan et al. A study of AD Army soldiers who died by suicide during military service between 20, found the highest suicide rate was among lower-ranking Enlisted soldiers deployed during their first year of service (Gilman et al. There is speculation that this phenomenon continues after each deployment, thus more “healthy” and resilient members are available for future deployments (Larson et al. Investigations have identified a “healthy warrior effect” such that less psychologically fit military members leave military service sooner (Larson et al. 2020), knowledge is limited regarding time-dependent suicide risk in the years following return from deployment and whether such rates vary by rank or component.įurthermore, postdeployment suicide risk may differ for military members returning from their first deployment versus those returning from subsequent deployments. While prior research has shown that both military rank (e.g., enlisted versus officers) and component (active duty, National Guard, reserve component ) are associated with suicide risk (Ravindran et al. 2019) which have been demonstrated to increase suicide risk. 2021) and physical and mental health conditions (Psychological Health Center of Excellence Research and Development Directorate 2019 Hostetter et al. Deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq have been associated with combat exposure (Bryan et al. ![]() For over a decade following Afghanistan/Iraq deployment, lower-enlisted rank during deployment was associated with an elevated rate of suicide thereby suggesting that postdeployment prevention interventions targeting lower-ranking military members are warranted.ĭeployment is an experience unique to military members that may increase suicide risk (Shen et al. Lower-ranking enlisted soldiers had the highest rate of suicide, underscoring the importance of understanding rank as it relates to social determinants of health. Comparisons across rank and component for females were generally consistent with the full cohort results. Overall and annual postdeployment suicide rates did not differ significantly across components. Suicide rates among lower-ranking enlisted soldiers remained elevated for 11 years postdeployment. ResultsĪdjusting for age, lowest-ranking Junior Enlisted (E1–E4) soldiers had a suicide rate 1.58 times higher than Senior Enlisted (E5–E9)/Warrant Officers (95% CI ) and 2.41 times higher than Officers (95% CI ). Death by suicide was observed from the end of the first deployment in the study period through 2018 (i.e., the most recently available mortality data) for up to 11 years of follow-up. Longitudinal cohort study of 860,930 Army soldiers returning from Afghanistan/Iraq deployment in fiscal years 2008–2014 from the Substance Use and Psychological Injury Combat study. ![]() To address these gaps in knowledge, the objectives of this study were to determine and compare postdeployment suicide rates and trends (percent change over time), and hazard rates for Army soldiers, by rank and component (measured at the end of the deployment). To date, knowledge is limited regarding time-dependent suicide risk in the years following return from deployment and whether such rates vary by military rank (i.e., enlisted, officer) or component (i.e., active duty, National Guard, reserve). ![]()
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