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A Systems Approach to Controlling Harmful Behavior: United States Navy Case Study
Elizabeth White Baker1, Nancy G Leveson2, Dale W Russell3
1Information Systems Department, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-4000, United States.
Military Medicine
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Current harmful behavior (HB) prevention in the Navy falls short due to underreporting and inconsistent data collection. Systems-theoretic modeling reveals organizational redesign is crucial for effective mitigation of HB and suicide-related behaviors (SRB).
Area of Science:
- Organizational psychology
- Systems theory
- Public health
Background:
- Existing harmful behavior (HB) interventions in the Navy primarily focus on individual actions, neglecting organizational structures.
- A systems-theoretical perspective is essential for understanding how organizational design influences HB and why current efforts are insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply systems-theoretical modeling to analyze the shortcomings of current HB prevention programs in the Navy.
- To explore how organizational redesign can improve the mitigation of HB, including suicide-related behaviors (SRB).
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Process (STAMP) framework for causality analysis.
- Examined underreporting of Sailor interactions with nonmandatory reporters and inconsistencies in SRB reporting.
- Conducted policy reviews and interviews with Navy personnel to identify control relationships and feedback mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Significant underreporting of HB incidents was identified, particularly concerning nonmandatory reporters.
- Lack of data on interactions with nonmandatory reporters limits the scope of HB intervention assessment.
- Personnel turnover disrupts policy implementation and intervention continuity, necessitating standardized reporting.
Conclusions:
- The U.S. Department of Defense's Integrated Primary Prevention strategy aims for systemic organizational changes.
- Systems-theoretical approaches, like STAMP, provide a framework for guiding these changes.
- Future research will extend STAMP to other HB categories to enhance military prevention efforts.
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