Occupational Stressors, Burnout, and Predictors of Suicide Ideation Among U.S. Air Force Remote Warriors. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bryan, Craig; Goodman, Tanya; Chappelle, Wayne; Thompson, William; Prince, Lillian
• Is Part Of: Military behavioral health. Volume 6:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Suicide ideation -- remote warrior -- RPA -- cyber -- intelligence -- United States Air Force -- burnout; Military psychiatry -- Periodicals; Combat -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 355.345
• DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2017.1325803
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2163-5781

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Suicide is a growing concern in the virtual warrior community of the United States Air Force (USAF). Identifying risk factors for suicide that are unique to this community of military personnel is therefore critical. A total of 4, 340 USAF remote warriors (27.8% remotely piloted aircraft, 60.3% intelligence, and 11.9% cyber warfare operators) completed anonymous surveys that assessed demographic, occupational demands, psychological distress, and suicide ideation. Suicide ideation was self-reported by 5–6% of participants. Results of multinomial logistic regression indicated that burnout increased risk for suicide ideation, but not when psychological distress was included as a covariate.