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A Qualitative Study of Potential Suicide Risk Factors Among Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Soldiers Returning to the Continental United States (CONUS)
Author(s) -
Lusk Jaimie,
Brenner Lisa A.,
Betthauser Lisa M.,
Terrio Heidi,
Scher Ann I.,
Schwab Karen,
Poczwardowski Artur
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22164
Subject(s) - distancing , psychology , qualitative research , interpersonal communication , suicide prevention , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , military personnel , psychological pain , interpersonal relationship , military deployment , software deployment , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , social psychology , medical emergency , covid-19 , disease , social science , pathology , sociology , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , computer science , law , operating system
Objective A qualitative study among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Soldiers was conducted to explore potential constructs underlying suicide according to the interpersonal–psychological theory of suicide (IPTS); these include burdensomeness, failed belonging, and acquired capability. Methods Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 68 Soldiers at 3 months post‐OEF/OIF deployment. Soldiers were asked about changes in their experiences of pain, burdensomeness, and lack of belonging. The methodology employed was descriptive phenomenological. Results Transcripts were reviewed and themes related to the IPTS constructs emerged. Soldiers’ postdeployment transition experiences included higher pain tolerance, chronic pain, emotional reactivity, emotional numbing and distancing, changes in physical functioning, combat guilt, discomfort with care seeking, and difficulties reintegrating into family and society. Conclusions Findings highlight the utility of the IPTS in understanding precursors to suicide associated with transition from deployment, as well as treatment strategies that may reduce risk in Soldiers during reintegration.