Social support, social network size, and suicidal ideation: A nine-year longitudinal analysis from the Mind Your Heart Study

Substantial research has investigated the impact of social support on development and course suicidal thoughts behaviors. However, its measurement been inconsistent, different facets may have differential effects ideation (SI). The present study used data from 743 veterans recruited between 2008 2010 as part Mind Your Heart Study to investigate relationship two aspects (social network size perceived support) SI over 9 years. Using 9th item PHQ-9, we created composite scores: (1, chronicity) proportion years participant endorsed (2, severity) severity across follow-up period. We found that, when modeled individually, both larger greater predicted lower chronicity (β=-.16, β = -0.19 respectively; ps < .001) (β=-0.15 -0.19, .001). together controlling for PTSD depression symptoms, increased but not (β=-0.09, p .01 0.02, .48, respectively) (β=-0.07, .045 0.01, .71, respectively). These findings suggest that be an important target intervention, future work is needed better delineate effect features risk suicide.