Perspectives of suicide loss survivors: Qualitative analysis of data from a psychological autopsy study of U.S. Army soldiers

Introduction Suicide loss survivors can provide information not otherwise available about the circumstances preceding a suicide. In this study, we analyzed interview data from suicide loss survivors collected as part of a psychological autopsy study of U.S. Army soldiers. Methods Next‐of‐kin (NOK) (...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Suicide & life-threatening behavior 2024-06, Vol.54 (3), p.437-449
Main Authors: Zuromski, Kelly L., Wilks, Chelsey R., Al‐Suwaidi, Maha, Wittler, Ellen, Scherban, Lilly, Hite, Blake, Raymond, LaTashia, Dempsey, Catherine L., Stein, Murray B., Ursano, Robert J., Benedek, David, Nock, Matthew K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Armed forces
Autopsies
military
Military personnel
qualitative methods
Suicide
Suicide prevention
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Introduction Suicide loss survivors can provide information not otherwise available about the circumstances preceding a suicide. In this study, we analyzed interview data from suicide loss survivors collected as part of a psychological autopsy study of U.S. Army soldiers. Methods Next‐of‐kin (NOK) (n = 61) and Army supervisors (SUP) (n = 107) of suicide decedents (n = 135) who had died in the last 2–3 months answered open‐ended questions about suicide risk factors, ideas for improving suicide prevention, and the impact of the suicide. Responses were coded using conventional content analysis methods to identify common themes. Results Many NOK (30%) and SUP (50%) did not observe any signs of risk preceding the soldier's suicide. The most common idea regarding suicide prevention from SUP was that the suicide was inevitable, whereas NOK were more likely to emphasize the importance of increasing mental health treatment and reducing stigma. Both NOK and SUP reported negative effects of the suicide, but SUP reported some positive effects (e.g., increased unit connectedness). Conclusions Results underscore the challenges of using informants to identify soldiers at high risk of suicide, given many respondents did not observe any warning signs. Findings also highlight attitudinal barriers present in the military that, if targeted, may increase soldiers' help‐seeking and willingness to disclose their risk.
ISSN:0363-0234
1943-278X
1943-278X
DOI:10.1111/sltb.13052