Analysis of Suicide Behaviors in the Navy Population
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Authors
Shen, Yu-Chu
Cunha, Jesse
Blankenship, Neeta Serena
Shepherd, Kristen
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2015
Date
15 September 2014 – 14 September 2015
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Since 2010, U.S. Navy suicides have been increasing, gaining considerable attention from the Secretary of Defense. Although each case is a result of a unique series of events, several observable factors can contribute to a Sailor’s suicide risk. Factors that can influence risk of suicide include demographic and non-demographic components. By themselves, demographic components (age, race, gender) may not adequately explain correlations between suicides and contributing factors. Examining non-demographic components (i.e. deployment condition, different ratings), prior mental health diagnoses, as well as pre-screening process would provide a more complete analysis and a more accurate representation of correlations between suicides and contributing factors. This study's long term goal is to retrospectively analyze the suicide behaviors at various stages (from suicidal ideation to death by suicide) at the individual sailor level and to identify risk factors and/or the loss of protective factors at different stages of that process. For FY15, we address the following questions: 1. What non-demographic, service-specific factors (for example, sailor rating, warfare platform, combat zone deployment, type of command, transition status), and pre-screening factors (such as AFQT, substance abuse, medical or legal waivers) are associated with the occurrence of suicide attempts and death by suicide? 2. What percent of suicide decedents had a previous history of suicide attempts? 3. In both the active duty and the reserve components, how do risk factors change through different stages of suicides?
Type
Report
Description
Department
Business & Public Policy (GSBPP)
Organization
Naval Research Program
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Naval Research Program
Prepared for: N171 Navy Suicide Prevention Office, POC: Steve Holton
Prepared for: N171 Navy Suicide Prevention Office, POC: Steve Holton
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Format
Citation
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Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.