Table 5.
Comparison of family-related variables and personal outcomes between armed forces service early leaver veterans and veterans leaving with more than 4 years experience
| >4 years service (n = 142) | <4 years service (n = 114) | p | OR [95% CI] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | % | n | % | |||
| Children | ||||||
| None | 26 | 17.29 | 28 | 28.19 | .044* | 1.88 [1.01–3.49] |
| 1 | 25 | 17.31 | 24 | 23.50 | .270 | 1.47 [0.74–2.90] |
| 2 | 60 | 42.15 | 36 | 28.97 | .058 | 0.56 [0.31–1.02] |
| 3 | 18 | 13.91 | 18 | 12.78 | .783 | 0.91 [0.45–1.83] |
| 4+ | 13 | 9.34 | 8 | 6.56 | .435 | 0.68 [0.26–1.81] |
| Childhood parental presence | ||||||
| Lived with both parents | 104 | 72.24 | 91 | 79.72 | .261 | 1.51 [0.73–3.12] |
| Lived with single parent | 18 | 13.81 | 18 | 17.19 | .570 | 1.30 [0.53–3.20] |
| Split time between both parents | 6 | 4.54 | 2 | 1.22 | .105 | 0.26 [0.05–1.49] |
| Lived with other relative | 6 | 3.70 | 0 | 0 | .028* | n/a |
| Spent time in care or institute | 6 | 4.19 | 1 | 0.63 | .044 | 0.15 [0.02–1.27] |
| Stressful life events | ||||||
| Major traumatic event experienced (since 16) | 74 | 54.70 | 46 | 40.24 | .039* | 0.56 [0.32–0.97] |
| Any self-harm behaviorsa | 25 | 16.36 | 30 | 20.71 | .388 | 1.34 [0.69–2.59] |
| Attempted suicide | 9 | 5.88 | 12 | 7.21 | .652 | 1.24 [0.48–3.23] |
| Domestic violence | ||||||
| Physically attacked by partnerb | 31 | 23.26 | 28 | 21.25 | .730 | 0.89 [0.46–1.73] |
| Death threats from partner | 9 | 5.94 | 5 | 3.16 | .223 | 0.52 [0.17–1.53] |
| Money withheld by partner | 16 | 10.69 | 11 | 8.10 | .481 | 0.74 [0.31–1.74] |
| Family concerns (CIS-R) | ||||||
| Worries due to family/spouse/partner | 24 | 18.38 | 29 | 23.41 | .374 | 1.36 [0.69–2.68] |
| Irritability due to family/spouse/partner | 15 | 10.36 | 8 | 8.93 | .754 | 0.85 [0.31–2.32] |
| Obsessions family/spouse/partner | 2 | 1.11 | 6 | 3.28 | .196 | 3.02 [0.52–17.69] |
| Activities of daily living (ADLs) | ||||||
| Help needed for 1+ ADL | 45 | 31.83 | 37 | 28.38 | .588 | 0.85 [0.47–1.54] |
| Helped by 1+ family member | 15 | 12.44 | 18 | 14.56 | .628 | 1.20 [0.57–2.52] |
Note. Percentages are weighted to account for complex survey design; case numbers are unweighted and may not therefore sum due to missing values. p: the significance of Pearson’s χ2 test with second-order Rao and Scott’s correction for survey design; OR: odds ratio; 95% CI: confidence interval at 95%.
Participant gave a positive response to one or more of the subsequent questions: “Have you ever thought of taking your life, even if you would not really do it?;” “Have you ever made an attempt to take your life, by taking an overdose of tablets or in some other way?;” “Have you deliberately harmed yourself in any way but not with the intention of killing yourself?”
Participant gave a positive response to one or more of the subsequent questions: “Has a current or previous partner ever pushed you, held or pinned you down or slapped you?;” “Has a current or previous partner ever kicked you, bit you, or hit you with a fist or something else, or threw something at you that hurt you?;” “Has a current or previous partner ever choked or tried to strangle you?;” “Has a current or previous partner ever used a weapon against you, e.g., a knife?”
Significant result where p < .05.