Understanding combat veterans and their social supporters’ experiences related to trauma and combat veteran suicide: A qualitative case study
APA Citation:
Bullock, M. (2022). Understanding combat veterans and their social supporters’ experiences related to trauma and combat veteran suicide: A qualitative case study [Ed.D., Liberty University]. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3631
Focus:
Veterans
Trauma
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Qualitative Study
Authors:
Bullock, Martisa
Abstract:
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand combat veterans and their social supporters’ experiences related to trauma and mitigating combat veteran suicide. The research questions were: What are combat veterans and their social supporters’ understandings and experiences related to trauma? What do combat veterans and their social supporters identify as significant aspects of support in mitigating suicidal ideation and suicide? The theories guiding this study were interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide and the psychache theory as these theories address the connections between suicidal thought processes and the trauma that contributes to them. This multiple case study consisted of open-ended interviews with combat veterans and their social supporters. Thematic coding was utilized to analyze collected data. Findings consisted of six themes: emotions, traumatic experiences, behavioral changes or transitions, support, and suicide. The discussion highlighted veteran marital complications, military maltreatment, perceptions of support, and what was deemed useful for helping combat veterans cope with trauma and reduce suicide ideation. The main recommendations from this research are to increase peer support and further research into stigmas experienced by combat veterans.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Liberty University
Publication Type:
Dissertations & Theses
Keywords:
combat veterans, social support, trauma, combat veteran suicide