Significant controversy exists as to whether soldiers are at increased risk for suicide and suicidal behaviors
compared with civilians. Furthermore, little is known about whether risk factors for suicidal behaviors in civilian
populations are generalizable to soldiers. The aim of the current study is to determine whether the prevalence and
correlates of past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts differ in Canadian soldiers when compared with
Canadian civilians. The current study utilized data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2-
Canadian Forces Supplement in conjunction with the 2001–2002 Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle
1.2. Logistic regression interaction models were used to explore differences between correlates of suicidal ideation
and suicide attempts comparing Canadian soldiers with civilians. Although there was no significant difference
between the 2 samples on prevalence of past-year suicidal ideation, the prevalence of past-year suicide attempts
was significantly lower in the Canadian forces sample compared with the civilian population (odds ratio ¼ 0.41,
95% confidence interval: 0.25, 0.67). Findings suggest that suicide attempts are less common in Canadian active
military personnel than in the civilian population. Possible mechanisms for these differences are discussed.
Canada; military personnel; psychology, military; risk factors; social problems; suicide