Lower intimate relationship satisfaction among partnered female service members/veterans is associated with the presence of suicidal ideation.

Abstract

Risk for suicide among female service members/veterans (SM/Vs) is increasing, suggesting a need for additional studies of risk factors in this population. This study examined relationship satisfaction as a correlate of suicidal ideation (SI) after accounting for established risk factors for SI. Partnered female SM/Vs (N = 818) completed a demographic inventory and measures of SI, relationship satisfaction, sexual function, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. After accounting for covariates, lower relationship satisfaction, higher depression and PTSD severity, and minority race were associated with the presence of SI. PTSD and depression severity did not moderate this association, suggesting that regardless of mental health symptoms, relationship satisfaction is associated with increased SI risk. Screening for relationship satisfaction may identify SI risk in partnered female SM/Vs. Future studies should explore relationship satisfaction as a risk factor for suicidal attempts as not all SM/Vs who experience SI will attempt suicide.