English

DTIC ADA611549: SPCR2 High Risk Suicidal Behavior in Veterans-Assessment of Predictors and Efficacy of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Approximately one third of the Army s completed suicides last year occurred in the post-deployment period (Alvarez 2009) highlighting the importance of studying high-risk suicidal veteran populations. This project proposes two related studies. The first project is a randomized clinical trial of 120 veterans identified with high-risk suicidal behavior comparing the efficacy of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) vs. treatment as usual (TAU) on suicidal behavior as a primary outcome measure. A second aim of the project is to examine group differences between 150 veterans at high risk (HR) for suicide and 150 veterans at low risk (LR) in a variety of symptom domains. The randomized clinical trial was completed with 93subjects. Results were notable for improvements in suicidality and secondary outcomes of depression, hopelessness and anxiety in both treatment groups, however there was not a significant difference between the treatment groups. DBT subjects did receive significantly more hours of treatment and for homeless, substance abusing males, there was considerable early drop-out in both arms. Our supplemental funding is to study affective startle as potential marker of suicide ri

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