Perspectives on military culture among veterans with a recent suicide attempt: Illustrating gender differences and informing suicide prevention
APA Citation:
Tompkins, K. J., Roth, B., Wu, T. Y., Somohano, V. C., & Denneson, L. M. (2024). Perspectives on military culture among veterans with a recent suicide attempt: Illustrating gender differences and informing suicide prevention. Armed Forces & Society, 50(2), 404-417. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X221123375
Focus:
Veterans
Mental health
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
Methodology:
Qualitative Study
Authors:
Tompkins, Kyla J., Roth, Brandon, Wu, Tiona Y., Somohano, Vanessa C., Denneson, Lauren M.
Abstract:
This article aims to expand our understanding of military culture as it relates to gender and veterans? mental health, drawing from rich qualitative data. Fifty in-depth interviews (25 men, 25 women) were conducted with veterans who had a recent suicide attempt (within 6 months). Interviews revealed major themes of unequal standards and a hostile environment in the military. Women strived to fit in and experienced differential treatment in their physical training, professional expectations, and family life; men recollected masculine bonds and camaraderie through drinking. Women described the hostile environment of the military through their experiences of sexual violence and both genders described a culture of silence where signs of weakness were shamed. Findings support a cultural shift toward equitable gender norms for military members. Policy should focus on increased transparency institutionally?and between members?as well as improving protection and response to reported abuse.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
SAGE
Publication Type:
Article
Author Affiliation:
HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, KJT
HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, BR
HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, TYW
HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, LMD
NW Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Portland Health Care System, VCS
Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, LMD
Keywords:
gender differences, suicide attempt, prevention
Sponsors:
This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, and VA Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) project IIR17-131. Writing of this article was partially supported by the Office of Academic Affiliations, Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment, Department of Veterans Affairs. Mx. Kyla Tompkins is a Research Associate at the VA Portland Health Care System, HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC).