U.S. Military Organizational Culture Effects on Suicidality

This thesis explores the relationship between military organizational culture and suicidality among service members. This study finds that poor leadership, the socialization of care avoidance, and a lack of support for spousal-related problems, job-related pressure, and life issues perceived to be caused by the military are among the biggest factors of suicidality. The heroization of the military contributes to disconnectedness among service members, and the perception of selflessness of service members is more common in the civilian population and families of service members. The Department of Defense recognizes quality of life as a major factor in suicide prevention, but efforts lack effectiveness due to a lack of leadership buy-in, incentives, and funding.