Suicide Acceptability among U.S. Veterans with Active Duty Experience: Results from the 2010 General Social Survey

The objective of this study was to examine whether U.S. Veterans more frequently indicate suicide acceptability than non-Veterans. The 2010 General Social Survey, which employed a probability-based sample of U.S. adults, was analyzed by self-reported Veteran status on suicide acceptability in four, separate hypothetical situations regarding ending one's life (i.e., incurable illness, bankruptcy, bringing dishonor/shame upon family, tired of living and ready to die). Veterans were no more likely to endorse suicide as acceptable than their non-Veteran counterparts. Results suggest that attitudes approving of suicide are not different among Veterans in general and non-Veterans. However, future research may need to examine whether subpopulations of Veterans with elevated risk for suicide may report differential attitudes about suicide.