title: A qualitative description of female veterans' deployment-related experiences and potential suicide risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A qualitative study among female Veterans from recent conflicts was conducted to explore the women's experiences and potential suicide risk factors according to the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide, including burdensomeness, failed belongingness, and acquired ability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presented paper is an extension of published work by Brenner et al. (2008) regarding mostly male combat Veterans. The methodology employed was qualitative descriptive with hermeneutic hues (Sandelowski, 2000). Interviews were conducted with 19 women, aged 24-52 years, all of whom had been deployed to combat zones in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transcripts were reviewed and themes emerged regarding women being a minority within their environment and deployment-related stressors. These experiences seemed to influence participants' views of the world and ways of coping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the interviewed female Veterans, preliminary support was provided for Joiner's concepts. Therapeutic strategies for applying themes to clinical practice (e.g., peer support, family therapy, interventions aimed at increasing distress tolerance) are provided.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado School of Medicine. peter.gutierrez@va.gov
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rings
authors.forename: Maria D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Devore
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Staves
authors.forename: Caroline M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide; female Veterans; qualitative