Suicide Attempt Impact on United States Coast Guard Career Retention

Suicide Attempt Impact on United States Coast Guard Career Retention by James W. Bailey MSW, University of Houston, 2004 BSW, University of Washington, 1990 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2020 Abstract Suicide is of great concern nationally and has become a significant social problem within the last 10years. One group of growing concern is those who served in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the impact of a suicide attempt on their career retention. Previous studies had focused on potential risk factors that may lead an individual to attempt suicide, but there was limited research on the impact of a suicide attempt on anSuicide is of great concern nationally and has become a significant social problem within the last 10years. One group of growing concern is those who served in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the impact of a suicide attempt on their career retention. Previous studies had focused on potential risk factors that may lead an individual to attempt suicide, but there was limited research on the impact of a suicide attempt on an individual’s career retention. It was unknown if the desire of USCG veterans to retain their career can primarily influence their decision not to attempt suicide. The experiential impact of suicide on the career retention of the participants was examined in this study. The study method was planned to be a qualitative phenomenological study but changed to a qualitative descriptive design. The theoretical framework comprised an application of Joiner’s interpersonal psychological theory of suicidal behavior and Tinto’s integration model for retention relevance and practical implications. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 12 USCG veterans to address the primary research question as to the lived experience of USCG members who have attempted suicide while on active duty that are currently veterans. NVivo analysis indicated that participants experienced difficulties with career, work, and personal relationships before their suicide attempt. Themes were similar for participants who stayed or left service after a suicide attempt. The results also indicated that all participants needed to receive support from people in their life after the attempts. Data suggested peer support was critical for retention and contributed to the promotion of a confident, healthy workforce and social growth in communities and society after an attempted suicide. Suicide Attempt Impact on United States Coast Guard Career Retention by James W. Bailey MSW, University of Houston, 2004 BSW, University of Washington, 1990 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2020 Dedication Dedicated to the men and women who know that “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage” (Lucius Annaeus Seneca). Acknowledgments Thank the Lord God above for guiding me every step of the way through the Ph.D. process. I wish to thank my adoring wife, Dr. Pauline Monsegue-Bailey, for starting and ending with me in this process and helping me see this through and encouraging me to “Keep Moving Forward. ” I could not have completed this without her. I want to thank my son, Malcolm, for being my beacon in life and filling me with the strength to live a purposeful life. I would also like to thank my Mentor/Committee Chair, Dr. Yoly Zentella, for her tenacious feedback and positive direction. I could not have completed this process without her thought-provoking insight, query, and constructive feedback. You are hard, but you are fair. I would also like to thank 2Chair Member, Dr. Toni Hobson, for his knowledge and expertise on the methods portion. Thanks to all other committee members for their support and feedback to include University Research Reviewer, Dr. Jimmy Brown. Finally, I would like to thank my mothers and fathers for this life to serve others.