Wingman-Connect Program increases social integration for Air Force personnel at elevated suicide risk: Social network analysis of a cluster RCT.U.S. military suicides are increasing and disrupted relationships frequently precede them.  We examined whether our Wingman-Connect Program (W-CP) strengthened Air Force relationship networks and socially integrated at-risk members.  Wingman-Connect Program built enhanced suicide protection into unit relationship networks and counteracted standard drift towards disconnection for at-risk Airmen, despite no explicit content targeting connections specifically to at-risk Airmen. 
Wingman-Connect Program
Wingman-Connect Program increases social integration for Air Force personnel at elevated suicide risk: Social network analysis of a cluster RCT.U.S. military suicides are increasing and disrupted relationships frequently precede them.  Air Force personnel classes in training were randomized to W-CP or active control (cluster RCT), followed up at 1 and 6 months (94% and 84% retention). 
cluster RCT
Baseline CAT-SS >34 defined elevated suicide risk. 
CAT-SS
Wingman-Connect Program increases social integration for Air Force personnel at elevated suicide risk: Social network analysis of a cluster RCT.U.S. military suicides are increasing and disrupted relationships frequently precede them.  Air Force personnel classes in training were randomized to W-CP or active control (cluster RCT), followed up at 1 and 6 months (94% and 84% retention).  For elevated risk Airmen, W-CP improved all network integration metrics, including 53% average gain in valued connection nominations received from other Airmen (RR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.08) and eliminated isolation. 
RR
Wingman-Connect Program increases social integration for Air Force personnel at elevated suicide risk: Social network analysis of a cluster RCT.U.S. military suicides are increasing and disrupted relationships frequently precede them.  Group-level interventions are needed that reduce future suicide vulnerability among healthy members and also ameliorate risk among those already suicidal.  We examined whether our Wingman-Connect Program (W-CP) strengthened Air Force relationship networks and socially integrated at-risk members.  Participants were 1485 male and female Airmen in 215 technical training classes.  Primary outcomes were social network metrics based on Airmen nominations of valued classmates after 1 month.  Baseline CAT-SS >34 defined elevated suicide risk.  W-CP increased social network integration, with largest impact for Airmen already at elevated suicide risk (n = 114, 7.7%).  For elevated risk Airmen, W-CP improved all network integration metrics, including 53% average gain in valued connection nominations received from other Airmen (RR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.08) and eliminated isolation.  Wingman-Connect Program built enhanced suicide protection into unit relationship networks and counteracted standard drift towards disconnection for at-risk Airmen, despite no explicit content targeting connections specifically to at-risk Airmen.  Findings support a growing case for the unique contribution of group-level interventions to improve social health of broader military populations while also ameliorating risk among individuals already at elevated suicide risk.
CI