Methods: Participants were 52 individuals diagnosed with PTSD.Baseline and follow-up assessments were 13 to 15 months apart.
Defeat and entrapment were conceptualized and analyzed as a unique construct (defeat/entrapment) in this study. Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the predictive effects of defeat/entrapment on suicidal ideation. Results: Defeat/entrapment scores predicted changes in the levels of suicidal ideation at follow-up while controlling for baseline suicidal ideation, PTSD severity, comorbid depressive symptoms, and hopelessness. Conclusions: These outcomes provide support to contemporary models of suicidality that suggest that defeat/entrapment is a strong predictor of suicidality in PTSD.