Better off with you: Exploring congruity between caregivers’ and veterans’ experience of efforts to cope with suicide
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Crasta, D., Spears, A. P., Sullivan, S. R., Britton, P. C., & Goodman, M. (2022). Better off with you: Exploring congruity between caregivers’ and Veterans’ experience of efforts to cope with suicide. Military Psychology, 34(3), 326-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2021.1959222
Abstract Created by REACH:
Among an at-risk sample of Veterans, this study examined whether Veterans’ and caregivers’ reports of family problem solving (i.e., family’s ability to address problems and conflict) were related to several assessments of perceived burden. 43 Veterans with suicidal ideation or suicide attempt history and their caregivers completed questionnaires regarding family problem solving. Additionally, Veterans reported on their perceived burdensomeness to others and sense of belonging; caregivers reported on the time and emotional burdens of caregiving. Overall, greater family problem solving was associated with lower Veteran burden and lower caregiver emotional burden but higher caregiver time burden.
Focus:
Mental health
Couples
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran
Parent of a service member or veteran
Child of a service member or veteran
Other
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross sectional study
Authors:
Crasta, Dev, Spears, Angela Page, Sullivan, Sarah R., Britton, Peter C., Goodman, Marianne
Abstract:
The interpersonal theory of suicide posits people are more likely to consider suicide when they perceive themselves as alone and as a burden. However, there is limited research on whether these self-perceptions reflect caregiver experiences. As part of a larger study of collaborative safety planning, 43 Veteran/caregiver dyads (N = 86 individuals) completed measures of belongingness and burdensomeness, caregiver burden, family problem solving, and suicide-related coping. We conducted dyad-level actor interdependence models allowing two types of social coping (i.e., general problem solving and suicide-specific coping) to predict Veteran’s self-views and caregiver interpersonal perceptions. Results suggested that Veteran social coping predicted lower Veteran thwarted belonginess and burdensomeness and caregiver involvement in problem solving was similarly associated with their own lower caregiver emotional burden. But examination of cross-partner effects demonstrated that greater Veteran coping was associated with greater time burden for caregivers. Findings suggest that social coping is associated with positive perceptions at the individual level (i.e., Veterans and caregivers to themselves) but does not indicate positive effects at the partner level. Clinicians working with Veterans may wish to involve supports in care to encourage effective collaboration that meets both caregiver/recipient needs.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
caregiver burden, coping, interpersonal theory of suicide, perceived burdensomeness, Veteran
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: