Abstract
This qualitative study explores the relationship between veterans’ spirituality/religion and suicide ideation and attempts. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 veterans who either endorsed chronic suicidal ideation or had made suicide attempt(s). Interviews explored the bi-directional relationship between spirituality/religion (e.g., beliefs, practices, and experiences), and suicide ideation and behaviors. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Veterans’ responses indicate that spirituality/religion can discourage or permit suicidal ideation, help in coping with ideation, and facilitate meaning making and coping in the presence of self-perceived suffering. Veterans who survived a suicide attempt explored the impact of their spirituality/religion on their recovery. Findings highlight a complex and diverse relationship between spirituality/religion and suicidality. These findings may inform further research on treatment strategies that assess the function of spirituality/religion, and incorporate protective aspects of spirituality/religion into mental health treatment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-16 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Archives of Suicide Research |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jul 20 2017 |
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Keywords
- qualitative
- religion
- spirituality
- suicidality
- veterans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Spirituality, Religion, and Suicidality Among Veterans : A Qualitative Study. / Lusk, Jaimie; Dobscha, Steven; Kopacz, Marek; Ritchie, Mary Frances; Ono, Sarah.
In: Archives of Suicide Research, 20.07.2017, p. 1-16.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Spirituality, Religion, and Suicidality Among Veterans
T2 - A Qualitative Study
AU - Lusk, Jaimie
AU - Dobscha, Steven
AU - Kopacz, Marek
AU - Ritchie, Mary Frances
AU - Ono, Sarah
PY - 2017/7/20
Y1 - 2017/7/20
N2 - This qualitative study explores the relationship between veterans’ spirituality/religion and suicide ideation and attempts. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 veterans who either endorsed chronic suicidal ideation or had made suicide attempt(s). Interviews explored the bi-directional relationship between spirituality/religion (e.g., beliefs, practices, and experiences), and suicide ideation and behaviors. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Veterans’ responses indicate that spirituality/religion can discourage or permit suicidal ideation, help in coping with ideation, and facilitate meaning making and coping in the presence of self-perceived suffering. Veterans who survived a suicide attempt explored the impact of their spirituality/religion on their recovery. Findings highlight a complex and diverse relationship between spirituality/religion and suicidality. These findings may inform further research on treatment strategies that assess the function of spirituality/religion, and incorporate protective aspects of spirituality/religion into mental health treatment.
AB - This qualitative study explores the relationship between veterans’ spirituality/religion and suicide ideation and attempts. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 veterans who either endorsed chronic suicidal ideation or had made suicide attempt(s). Interviews explored the bi-directional relationship between spirituality/religion (e.g., beliefs, practices, and experiences), and suicide ideation and behaviors. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Veterans’ responses indicate that spirituality/religion can discourage or permit suicidal ideation, help in coping with ideation, and facilitate meaning making and coping in the presence of self-perceived suffering. Veterans who survived a suicide attempt explored the impact of their spirituality/religion on their recovery. Findings highlight a complex and diverse relationship between spirituality/religion and suicidality. These findings may inform further research on treatment strategies that assess the function of spirituality/religion, and incorporate protective aspects of spirituality/religion into mental health treatment.
KW - qualitative
KW - religion
KW - spirituality
KW - suicidality
KW - veterans
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85025164230&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85025164230&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13811118.2017.1340856
DO - 10.1080/13811118.2017.1340856
M3 - Article
SP - 1
EP - 16
JO - Archives of Suicide Research
JF - Archives of Suicide Research
SN - 1381-1118
ER -