Life Meaning is Associated with Suicidal Ideation among Depressed Veterans

Suicide is a major public health concern among U.S. veterans. Even when asked directly, veterans who die by suicide have been found to deny suicidal thoughts. Psychological assessment needs to go beyond the current risk factors and evaluate underlying factors that may increase suicide risk. In the present study, diagnostic interviews and self-report questionnaires were used to measure life meaning and suicidal ideation in a sample of 110 depressed veterans. Life meaning was significantly associated with suicidal ideation, even after accounting for depression and suicide history. Life meaning may be an important, previously ignored indicator of suicide risk.