The Military Suicide Research Consortium Common Data Elements: An Examination of Measurement Invariance Across Current Service Members and Veterans
Abstract
Suicide rates within the U.S. military are elevated, necessitating greater efforts to identify those at increased risk. This study utilized a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis to examine measurement invariance of the Military Suicide Research Consortium Common Data Elements (CDEs) across current service members ( n = 2,015), younger veterans (<35 years; n = 377), and older veterans (≥35 years; n = 1,001). Strong factorial invariance was supported with adequate model fit observed for current service members, younger veterans, and older veterans. The structures of all models were generally comparable with few exceptions. The Military Suicide Research Consortium CDEs demonstrate at least adequate model fit for current military service members and veterans, regardless of age. Thus, the CDEs can be validly used across military and veteran populations. Given similar latent structures, research findings in one group may inform clinical and policy decision making for the other.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1177/1073191118777635
Entities
People
- Anna R Gai
- Carol Chu
- Ian H Stanley
- Jennifer M Buchman-Schmitt
- Megan L Rogers
- Peter M. Gutierrez
- Richard K. Wagner
- Thomas Joiner
Organizations
- Florida State University
- National Institute of Mental Health
- United States Department of Defense
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- University of Colorado