Past Issues
A Preliminary Application of Interpersonal Psychological Theory on
Suicidal Soldiers in Taiwan
Kai-Cheng Huang, Dong-Sheng Tzeng
Objectives: Suicide rates are higher in the military personnel than those in the
general population even though owning the same risk factors. The interpersonalpsychological
theory of suicide (IPTS) could provide an empirical explanation. To
investigate the relevance of IPT with respect to suicides among soldiers in Taiwan,
we designed a case control study. Methods: With a suicide-reporting system in a
teaching general hospital in southern Taiwan, we enrolled 226 at-risk maladjusted
soldiers and 229 well-adjusted matched controls. We collected basic information
and completed four IPTS-based questions in the study participants. Suicide risk
was assessed using the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS) item 6, with scores
equal to and larger than one, indicating a risk of suicide. All study participant received
MINI-interview to screen the latent mental illness and to recheck the suicidal
tendency. Results: Poor academic performance (β = 0.163, 95% confi dence
interval (CI) = 0.200 - 0.487, p < 0.001), conduct-related issues in childhood (β =
0.108, 95% CI = 0.102 - 0.540, p < 0.05), exposure to domestic violence (β =
0.128, 95% CI = 0.155 - 0.652, p < 0.05), and life-threatening situations (β =
0.096, 95% CI = 0.059 - 0.500, p < 0.05) are all risk factors to suicide. The maladjusted
suicidal soldiers showed a sense of thwarted belongingness (β = 0.169, 95%
CI = 0.269 - 0.796, p < 0.001), perceived burdensomeness (β = 0.342; 95% CI =
0.743 - 1.256, p < 0.001), and less fear of death (β = 0.127, 95% CI = 0.150 - 0.579,
p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results provide more insight into the risk of suicides
among soldiers. IPTS could be used to assess suicide risk and to prevent
suicide attempts.
general population even though owning the same risk factors. The interpersonalpsychological
theory of suicide (IPTS) could provide an empirical explanation. To
investigate the relevance of IPT with respect to suicides among soldiers in Taiwan,
we designed a case control study. Methods: With a suicide-reporting system in a
teaching general hospital in southern Taiwan, we enrolled 226 at-risk maladjusted
soldiers and 229 well-adjusted matched controls. We collected basic information
and completed four IPTS-based questions in the study participants. Suicide risk
was assessed using the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS) item 6, with scores
equal to and larger than one, indicating a risk of suicide. All study participant received
MINI-interview to screen the latent mental illness and to recheck the suicidal
tendency. Results: Poor academic performance (β = 0.163, 95% confi dence
interval (CI) = 0.200 - 0.487, p < 0.001), conduct-related issues in childhood (β =
0.108, 95% CI = 0.102 - 0.540, p < 0.05), exposure to domestic violence (β =
0.128, 95% CI = 0.155 - 0.652, p < 0.05), and life-threatening situations (β =
0.096, 95% CI = 0.059 - 0.500, p < 0.05) are all risk factors to suicide. The maladjusted
suicidal soldiers showed a sense of thwarted belongingness (β = 0.169, 95%
CI = 0.269 - 0.796, p < 0.001), perceived burdensomeness (β = 0.342; 95% CI =
0.743 - 1.256, p < 0.001), and less fear of death (β = 0.127, 95% CI = 0.150 - 0.579,
p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results provide more insight into the risk of suicides
among soldiers. IPTS could be used to assess suicide risk and to prevent
suicide attempts.
| Key Word | suicide, military personnel, interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide, maladjustment |
|---|