Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42174486›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2026

Data linkage studies on veteran suicidality: a scoping review of the field, knowledge gaps and evidence appraisal.

Nicolas Rivero Weidemüller, Shannon Dias, Emilia Janca, Luke T Bayliss, Ed Heffernan, Carla Meurk

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nicolas Rivero WeidemüllerQueensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia.ORCID 0009-0002-8859-1951
Shannon DiasQueensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5129-7738
Emilia JancaQueensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia. e.janca@uq.edu.au.ORCID 0000-0001-9679-4893
Luke T BaylissQueensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-6076-801X
Ed HeffernanQueensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-7819-6264
Carla MeurkQueensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-5792-5229

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimsSuicidality among veterans is a serious issue that impacts veterans, their families, friends, and communities. Using data linkage to examine suicidality among veterans remains an emerging area. This review examines the application of data linkage to questions on suicidality among veterans from within the Five Eyes alliance to generate learnings that can be applied to the Australian context.

methodsThis scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Peer reviewed databases and grey literature were searched. Studies were assessed against the Reporting of studies Conducted using Observational Routinely-Collected Data (RECORD) Statement.

results58 studies were included in the review. 60% of these were identified as being of good or excellent quality. Most (72.4%) were conducted in the US, followed by Canada (13.8%) and Australia (8.6%). The majority of studies examined suicide deaths (81%), while 31% assessed ideation, self-harm, or attempts. DISCUSSION: Studies were overwhelmingly health focussed, with examination of psychosocial determinants and social care pathways lacking. The literature was inconsistent in describing methods and there was no documented evidence of lived experience involvement.

conclusionThe review highlights benefits to undertaking data linkage research within the Australian context and has noted several gaps to address that could enhance the evidence-base globally. Enhancements to the RECORD statement are recommended. Enhancements in ethics, governance and information sharing protocols between institutions should be investigated to support more comprehensive linkages that facilitate the examination of longitudinal risk factors, health and psychosocial trajectories, service transitions, and multi-systemic influences on veteran suicidality. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Information Storage and RetrievalSuicideVeteransAustraliaCanadaEvidence GapsHumansUnited StatesData linkageMilitarySuicidalityVeterans

Identifiers

PMID42174486
PMCPMC13403816

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.