A Qualitative Study of Potential Suicide Risk Factors Among Soldiers Transitioning from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom

Date of Award

Spring 6-14-2013

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Artur Poczwardowski

Second Advisor

Jennifer Cornish

Third Advisor

Lisa Brenner

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Soldiers, Qualitative research, Behavior, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Reintegration, Joiner, Burdensomeness, Belonging, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Suicide

Abstract

Using qualitative methods, this study explored potential risk factors for suicide, as defined by Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS), in a population of Soldiers returning from deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). Sixty-eight Soldiers participated in semi-structured interviews during the period of transition from deployment to the garrison environment. These Soldiers were asked about changes in perception of pain, experiences of perceived burdensomeness, and lack of belonging. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed. A phenomenological methodology was employed (Creswell, 2006). In response to questions about perception of pain, Soldiers discussed both positive and negative changes in their experience of physical and emotional pain. When asked about experiences of perceived burdensomeness, Soldiers described changes related to deployment, such as injuries and combat related guilt, as well as changes related to transition from combat, including care seeking, reintegration into family and society, and emotional distancing. Regarding the experience of lack of belonging, Soldiers described difficulties related to the deployment, such as combat injuries, leadership roles, and individual differences, as well as difficulties related to reintegration such as symptoms of emotional numbing and distancing. Findings highlight the potential utility of IPTS in exploring both acute and chronic suicide risk factors associated with deployment and transition, as well as potential treatment strategies that may reduce suicide risk in the population of Soldiers during reintegration.

Copyright Date

6-26-2013

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Jaimie Lusk

Provenance

Received from Author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

37 pgs

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