Protective Factors Among Rural and Remote Soldiers: A Critical Phenomenological Perspective on Suicidality in Alaska

Area of Science:

• Military Health
• Psychological Resilience
• Sociology of the Military

Background:

• Elevated suicidality rates observed in active duty Army soldiers stationed in Alaska.
• Risk factors include age, trauma history, and military service duration.
• Need for culturally relevant protective factors to mitigate suicide risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify perceived protective factors against suicide risk among active duty soldiers in Alaska.
• To understand soldiers' perspectives on what safeguards fellow service members.
• To inform interventions promoting mental well-being in military populations.

Main Methods:

• Critical phenomenological methodology utilized.
• Purposeful sampling of active duty soldiers from low-risk units in Alaska.
• Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of elicited narratives.

Main Results:

• Emergence of themes and sub-themes detailing protective factors.
• Healthy professional and personal relationships identified as crucial.
• These relationships foster perseverance, mission engagement, and operational tempo management.

Conclusions:

• Study contributes novel qualitative insights into suicide protective factors.
• Suggests future research exploring social death in relation to suicidality.
• Informs Army nursing practice and policy development for enhanced soldier care.