Sarah A Gold, Molly Goodrich, Sybil W Morley, Brady Stephens, John F McCarthy
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: To assess temporal patterns of Veteran suicide deaths from 2001 to 2021.
Methods: Data from Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) administrative sources and the VA/DoD Mortality Data Repository identified 133,867 Veteran suicides from 2001 to 2021. Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs) and Joinpoint regression assessed patterns of Veteran suicide across seasons, days of the week, and 14 holidays; overall and by sex and age.
Results: Incidence of Veteran suicide was highest in summers and on Mondays. Veteran suicide incidence was lower on six holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (IRR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.73-0.93), Presidents' Day (IRR = 0.88, 0.78, 0.99), Memorial Day (IRR = 0.89, CI = 0.79-0.99), Labor Day (IRR = 0.88, CI = 0.78-0.98), Thanksgiving (IRR = 0.81, CI = 0.71-0.92), and Christmas (IRR = 0.78, CI = 0.68-0.89). Suicide incidence was elevated on New Year's Day (IRR = 1.17, CI = 1.05-1.31), particularly among Veterans 25-34 years old (IRR = 1.64, CI = 1.19-2.26). An increasing trend in daily average suicides was indicated from December 30th to January 1st (β = 1.79, p < 0.05). Both seasonal and day of the week effects were present in most subpopulations. Holiday effects were most prevalent among men and varied by age.
Conclusions: Veteran suicide incidence was elevated in summer months, on Mondays, and on New Year's Day. Temporal patterns differed by sex and age. Findings can inform ongoing Veteran suicide prevention efforts.
期刊介绍:
An excellent resource for researchers as well as students, Social Cognition features reports on empirical research, self-perception, self-concept, social neuroscience, person-memory integration, social schemata, the development of social cognition, and the role of affect in memory and perception. Three broad concerns define the scope of the journal: - The processes underlying the perception, memory, and judgment of social stimuli - The effects of social, cultural, and affective factors on the processing of information - The behavioral and interpersonal consequences of cognitive processes.