title: A Qualitative Study of Potential Suicide Risk Factors Among Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Soldiers Returning to the Continental United States (CONUS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A qualitative study among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Soldiers was conducted to explore potential constructs underlying suicide according to the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS); these include burdensomeness, failed belonging, and acquired capability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 68 Soldiers at 3 months post-OEF/OIF deployment. Soldiers were asked about changes in their experiences of pain, burdensomeness, and lack of belonging. The methodology employed was descriptive phenomenological.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transcripts were reviewed and themes related to the IPTS constructs emerged. Soldiers' postdeployment transition experiences included higher pain tolerance, chronic pain, emotional reactivity, emotional numbing and distancing, changes in physical functioning, combat guilt, discomfort with care seeking, and difficulties reintegrating into family and society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight the utility of the IPTS in understanding precursors to suicide associated with transition from deployment, as well as treatment strategies that may reduce risk in Soldiers during reintegration.
authors.affiliation: The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.|Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC).|University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
authors.forename: Jaimie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lusk
authors.affiliation: Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC).|University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC).|University of Colorado Denver, Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Betthauser
authors.affiliation: Evans Army Community Hospital, University of Colorado Denver, Department of Psychology.|Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Terrio
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Ann I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Scher
authors.affiliation: Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.|Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.affiliation: University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poczwardowski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: IPTS; OEF/OIF; Qualitative; Soldiers; Suicide; postdeployment