Beliefs About Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors Among Veterans Thinking About Suicide: A Qualitative Exploration Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior

INTRODUCTION: Despite advancements in treatment and research, suicide rates have remained persistently high for decades. Veterans are particularly vulnerable, with significantly higher suicide rates than non-Veterans. An important aspect to understanding drivers of this high suicide rate is examining the underlying beliefs that may contribute to or inhibit such behaviors. METHODS: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, 10 elicitation interviews were completed with Veterans experiencing recent and lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). The transcripts were thematically analyzed using a priori concepts and coded after obtaining consensus among coders. RESULTS: Veterans' most endorsed advantage to STB was stopping suffering and ending pain; the most endorsed disadvantage was hurting oneself. For normative beliefs, Veterans endorsed that no one would approve of STB and that society or everyone would disapprove of STB. Veterans endorsed that substances were the main facilitator of STB, and fear of hurting others and family was a primary barrier or inhibitor to STB. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the complexity of STB as well as targeted interventions that aim to understand the function and meaning of STB from a Veteran's individual experience.