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Lobato P, Moriano JA, Laguía A, Molero F, Mikulincer M. Security providing leadership and work stress in Spanish Air Force. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 36:504-515. [PMID: 37256575 PMCID: PMC11407392 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2218785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Leadership plays a key role in the well-being of military personnel, either contributing to health improvement or, conversely, becoming a source of stress. In the present study we propose that security providing leadership can reduce work stress in the military context. Furthermore, we suggest that security-providing leaders exert their positive influence on work stress by creating a psychological safety climate and preventing organizational dehumanization. A sample of 204 members (72.5% men) of the Spanish Air Force volunteered to participate in this empirical study and completed an online questionnaire and both the direct and indirect structural equation models were analyzed. Results show a negative relationship between security providing leadership and work stress. Additionally, organizational dehumanization and psychological safety climate act as mediators in this relationship. These results support this novel approach to leadership in the military context. They also offer new ways to create better organizational environments. By treating their subordinates in a personalized manner and supporting them, security-providing leaders can improve employees' perceptions of psychological safety climate and combat feelings of organizational dehumanization, which, in turn, can reduce work stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Lobato
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A Moriano
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Laguía
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Molero
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Mikulincer
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
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Son JY, Choi OS, Kim YM. Oral habits and temporomandibular joint disorders according to stress levels among military personnel in South Korea: A cross-sectional study. J Oral Rehabil 2024; 51:1499-1506. [PMID: 38706184 DOI: 10.1111/joor.13727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military personnel suffer from stress-induced temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). No previous studies have evaluated the oral habits and TMD in military personnel based on their stress levels. OBJECTIVES To examine the correlation between oral habits and TMD based on stress levels. In addition, we assessed the relationship between stress levels and TMD by military rank as well as the impact of oral habits on TMD. METHOD This cross-sectional survey included 89 military personnel who visited the Armed Forces Medical Center in Korea with discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort. Oral habits, stress level, TMD and general characteristics of the subjects were investigated. A questionnaire was distributed to the subjects who agreed to the study, and they were asked to respond in a self-written form. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the factors that affect oral habits and TMJ symptoms. RESULTS Stress scores and oral habits were highest in the 'Private' rank. In contrast, temporomandibular joint symptoms were highest in the 'Corporal' rank. Additionally, the high-risk stress group exhibited higher scores in oral habits and TMD compared to the potential stress group. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between an increase in high-risk stress scores and a rise in oral habits. And individuals with more oral habits are at an increased likelihood of experiencing TMD. CONCLUSION Our study findings suggest that military personnel with prevent TMD and improve oral habits by addressing stress levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Son
- Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ok-Sun Choi
- Department of dental hygiene, Gangdong University, Eumseong-gun, Korea
| | - You-Mi Kim
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea
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Zueger R, Niederhauser M, Utzinger C, Annen H, Ehlert U. Effects of resilience training on mental, emotional, and physical stress outcomes in military officer cadets. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 35:566-576. [PMID: 37903164 PMCID: PMC10617376 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2139948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Resilience is an important factor in counteracting the harmful effects of stress and is associated with healthy physiological and psychological responses to stress. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of resilience fostering training programs in psychobiological stress response and recovery. Few studies, however, have examined training effects in real-life high-stress situations. In this study, we compare effects of a brief resilience training (RT) and an active control training in diversity management (DMT) on psychobiological stress response to and recovery from an intense military exercise of 81 male officer cadets. Five weeks after training completion, autonomic, endocrine, and subjective state measures of cadets were measured while undergoing stressful military exercise. The RT group perceived the military stressor as more challenging, and showed higher values in motivation and positive affect than the DMT group. Cortisol increased in both groups during stress, but showed a lower cortisol increase in the RT group thereafter. These results suggest that this brief resilience training helped cadets reframe the stressful situation in a more positive light, experiencing more positive emotions, and recovering faster from stress. To strengthen young military leaders in stressful situations, resilience promoting programs should become part of basic or leadership trainings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regula Zueger
- Department of Military Psychology and Military Pedagogy Studies, Military Academy at ETH Zurich, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Madlaina Niederhauser
- Department of Military Psychology and Military Pedagogy Studies, Military Academy at ETH Zurich, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Utzinger
- Department of Military Psychology and Military Pedagogy Studies, Military Academy at ETH Zurich, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Annen
- Department of Military Psychology and Military Pedagogy Studies, Military Academy at ETH Zurich, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Wu L, Chen Y, Liu X, Fang P, Feng T, Sun K, Ren L, Liang W, Lu H, Lin X, Li Y, Wang L, Li C, Zhang T, Ni C, Wu S. The influence of job burnout on the attention ability of army soldiers and officers: Evidence from ERP. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:992537. [PMID: 36419460 PMCID: PMC9676458 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.992537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Job burnout is one of the most widespread mental problems in today's society and seriously affects the mental health and combat effectiveness of soldiers and officers. Herein, the effect of burnout on individual attention is studied from the perspective of neuroelectrophysiology. A total of 1,155 army soldiers and officers were included in this investigation and completed the Job Burnout Scale for Military Personnel. A total of 42 soldiers and officers were randomly selected from those with and without burnout to participate in an event-related potential (ERP) study using a visual oddball task. The characteristics of visual P3a and P3b at Fz, FCz, Cz, CPz, and Pz were recorded and analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). P < 0.05 was the criterion for a significant difference. The total average score on the Job Burnout Scale for Military Personnel among the participants was 0.74 ± 0.46, and the detection rate of job burnout was 29.85%. In the Oddball task, the average number of target stimuli counted in the burnout group was lower than that in the control group, but no significant difference was found. For P3a, the Fz, FCz, Cz, CPz, and Pz amplitudes in the burnout group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The average amplitude of P3a evoked in the central parietal area was larger than that in the prefrontal area. For P3b, the amplitudes of the five electrodes in the burnout group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The average amplitude of P3b evoked in the parietal region was larger than those in the prefrontal and central parietal regions. A certain degree of job burnout is evident in army soldiers and officers. The voluntary attention and involuntary attention of individuals with burnout are both affected to some extent, as reflected by the lower amplitudes of P3a and P3b. The results suggest that P3a and P3b can be used as indicators to monitor cognitive neural function in soldiers and officers with burnout and can also be used as references for evaluating the effects of cognitive training and screening methods. In this study, ERP was used to research the attention ability of soldiers and officers with job burnout, and related issues were discussed from the aspects of the burnout results, behavioral results, ERP results, compensation effect of cognitive resources, application in the military field, limitations, and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yanfeng Chen
- Nursing School, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xufeng Liu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Peng Fang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tingwei Feng
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Kewei Sun
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lei Ren
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Huijie Lu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinxin Lin
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yijun Li
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chunping Ni
- Nursing School, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shengjun Wu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Xiong A, Xia S, Wang Q, Lockyer J, Cao D, Westlund H, Li H. Queen Bees: How Is Female Managers' Happiness Determined? Front Psychol 2022; 13:741576. [PMID: 35250703 PMCID: PMC8888411 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.741576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aims to study the determinants of subjective happiness among working females with a focus on female managers. Drawn on a large social survey data set (N = 10470) in China, this paper constructs gender development index at sub-national levels to study how institutional settings are related to female managers' happiness. We find that female managers report higher levels of happiness than non-managerial employees. However, the promoting effect is contingent on individual characteristics and social-economic settings. The full sample regression suggests that female managers behaving in a masculine way generally report a high level of happiness. Meanwhile, female managers who refuse to support gender equality report low happiness levels. Sub-sample analysis reveals that these causalities are conditioned on regional culture. Masculine behavior and gender role orientation significantly predict subjective happiness only in gender-egalitarian regions. This study is one of the first to consider both internal (individual traits) and external (social-economic environment) factors when investigating how female managers' happiness is impacted. Also, this study challenges the traditional wisdom on the relationship between female managers' job satisfaction and work-home conflict. This study extends the literature by investigating the impacts of female managers' masculine behavior on their happiness. This study is useful for promoting female managers' leadership effectiveness and happiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailun Xiong
- Research Center for Enterprise Management, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing, China
| | - Senmao Xia
- International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship and Center for Business in Society, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Qing Wang
- Warwick Business School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Joan Lockyer
- School of Strategy and Leadership, Coventry Business School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Dongmei Cao
- School of Strategy and Leadership, Coventry Business School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Hans Westlund
- Department of Urban Planning and Environment, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hongyi Li
- Department of Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Jonglertmontree W, Kaewboonchoo O, Morioka I, Boonyamalik P. Mental health problems and their related factors among seafarers: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:282. [PMID: 35148722 PMCID: PMC8840312 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12713-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seafarers are often reported to be engaged in a dangerous physical and psychosocial work environment. However, mental health status among seafarers has not been focused on compared with physical health issues. Systematic, comprehensive reviews of mental health problems and their relevant factors are lacking. This review aimed to clarify beneficial approaches to the mental health problems faced among seafarers using a scoping review to systematically map the evidence regarding mental health issues and their related factors. METHODS Studies were searched on MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct, Academic search complete using EBSCOhost databases, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of science on 20, August 2020. This scoping review was conducted based on the framework of Arksey and O'Malley and Preferred Reporting items for Scoping Reviews flow diagram. The inclusion criteria were studies which determined the relationship between factors relevant to working conditions or working environment, and mental health in seafarers, and etc. Data were narratively summarized and reported. RESULTS Twenty-four were included in this review while two major findings were clarified. Firstly, the prevalence of stress, depressive symptoms, and burnout have been mentioned for decades. Secondly, factors related to mental health and psychological issues can be categorized as individual and work environmental factors. The individual factors include experience, age, health status (high BMI, poor sleep, and diabetics), and resilience. The work environmental factors consist of two parts. Job demands comprise pressure from contractors/customers/time, working hours, ship department, job title, voyage episodes, period of seafaring, noise, and vibration. The job resources included instrumental support, team cohesion, shipboard caring and effort-reward imbalance. CONCLUSIONS A beneficial approach to mental health problems faced among seafarers is necessary to understand comprehensively at individual and organization levels. Promoting health behaviors, training resilience, and managing obesity and chronic diseases comprise individual level strategies. Providing seafarers with adequate instrumental support, and practical support to communicate with customers, managing their distinct work-rest hours and adequate effort-reward balance comprise organization level methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woraluk Jonglertmontree
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road., Ratchathewi, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Orawan Kaewboonchoo
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road., Ratchathewi, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Ikuharu Morioka
- Graduate School of Health and Nursing Science, Wakayama Medical University, Mikazura 580, 641-0011, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Plernpit Boonyamalik
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road., Ratchathewi, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand
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Coledam DHC, Alves TA, Arruda GAD, Ferraiol PF. Prevalence of common mental disorders among Brazilian workers: systematic review and meta-analysis. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2022; 27:579-591. [DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232022272.46012020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The aim of the present study was to summarize the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) among Brazilian workers through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Searches were conducted in SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Articles were included if they had; an observational design, a sample of Brazilian workers, used a validated instrument and cut-off to assess CMD, and provided the prevalence value. A random-effect meta-analysis using professional categories as subgroups and a meta-regression were conducted. In total, 89 studies were included, with a total of 56,278 workers from 26 professional categories. The overall pooled prevalence of CMD was 0.30 (95%CI: 0.27-0.34), varying from 0.07 to 0.58. Professional categories that presented higher prevalences of CMD were: Prostitutes 0.58 (95%CI: 0.51-0.65), Social Educators 0.54 (95%CI: 0.50-0.59), Banking Workers 0.45 (95%CI: 0.44-0.47), Ragpickers 0.45 (95%CI: 0.40-0.49), and Teachers 0.40 (95%CI: 0.32-0.48). No other variable in addition to profession was associated with prevalence of CMD in the meta-regression analysis. Workers from the most affected professional categories should be monitored to prevent social, occupational, and health impairment from CMD.
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Holloway IW, Green D, Pickering C, Wu E, Tzen M, Goldbach JT, Castro CA. Mental Health and Health Risk Behaviors of Active Duty Sexual Minority and Transgender Service Members in the United States Military. LGBT Health 2021; 8:152-161. [PMID: 33538639 PMCID: PMC8336224 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine health risk behaviors and mental health outcomes among sexual minority and transgender active duty military service members and their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Methods: Participants (N = 544) were recruited by using respondent-driven sampling between August 2017 and March 2018 and completed an online survey by using validated measures of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidality. Bayesian random intercept multiple logistic regressions were used to understand differences between sexual minority participants and heterosexual participants as well as between transgender participants and both their cisgender sexual minority and cisgender heterosexual peers. Results: Cisgender sexual minority women service members were more likely to meet criteria for problematic alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 10.11) and cigarette smoking (aOR = 7.12) than cisgender heterosexual women. Cisgender sexual minority men had greater odds of suicidality (aOR = 4.73) than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Transgender service members had greater odds of anxiety, PTSD, depression, and suicidality than their cisgender peers. Conclusion: Military researchers and policymakers who seek to improve the overall health and well-being of sexual minority and transgender service members should consider programs and policies that are tailored to specific health outcomes and unique sexual minority and transgender subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian W. Holloway
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniel Green
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chad Pickering
- Department of Biostatistics, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- California Center for Population Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Wu
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Michael Tzen
- California Center for Population Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeremy T. Goldbach
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carl A. Castro
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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The impact of psychological hardiness on soldiers’ engagement and general health: The mediating role of need satisfaction. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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10
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Oliveira AJ, Neto GAM, Barros OD, Pedreiro R, Murillo-Rodriguez E, de Leon ACP, Machado S. Association between physical fitness and psychological distress among Brazilian armed force personnel. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-018-0503-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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11
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Brooks SK, Greenberg N. Non-deployment factors affecting psychological wellbeing in military personnel: literature review. J Ment Health 2017; 27:80-90. [DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2016.1276536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K. Brooks
- King’s College London, King’s Centre for Military Health Research, Weston Education Centre, London, UK
| | - Neil Greenberg
- King’s College London, King’s Centre for Military Health Research, Weston Education Centre, London, UK
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12
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Zhou Z, Liu T, Zhang Z. Skin disease in United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon. J ROY ARMY MED CORPS 2016; 163:27-30. [DOI: 10.1136/jramc-2015-000601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Rubio C, Osca A, Recio P, Urien B, Peiró JM. Work-family conflict, self-efficacy, and emotional exhaustion: A test of longitudinal effects. JOURNAL OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rpto.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Chou HW, Tzeng WC, Chou YC, Yeh HW, Chang HA, Kao YC, Tzeng NS. Psychological morbidity, quality of life, and self-rated health in the military personnel. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2014; 10:329-38. [PMID: 24570587 PMCID: PMC3933722 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s57531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mental health of military personnel varies as a result of different cultural, political, and administrative factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological morbidity and quality of life of military personnel in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study utilized the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, brief version, Taiwan version, the General Health Questionnaire-12, Chinese version, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in several military units. RESULTS More than half of the subjects (55.3%) identified themselves as mentally unhealthy on the General Health Questionnaire-12, Chinese version; however, a higher percentage of officers perceived themselves as healthy (57.4%) than did noncommissioned officers (38.5%) or enlisted men (42.2%). Officers also had higher total quality of life (QOL) scores (83.98) than did enlisted men (79.67). Scores on the VAS also varied: officers: 72.5; noncommissioned officers: 67.7; and enlisted men: 66.3. The VAS and QOL were positively correlated with perceived mental health among these military personnel. CONCLUSION Our subjects had higher rates of perceiving themselves as mentally unhealthy compared to the general population. Those of higher rank perceived themselves as having better mental health and QOL. Improving mental health could result in a better QOL in the military. The VAS may be a useful tool for the rapid screening of self-reported mental health, which may be suitable in cases of stressful missions, such as in disaster rescue; however, more studies are needed to determine the optimal cut-off point of this measurement tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Wei Chou
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine ; Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Beitou Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; ; Department of Psychiatry, Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chii Tzeng
- Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Nursing ; Student Counseling Center
| | - Yu-Ching Chou
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Wen Yeh
- Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Nursing ; Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Kang-Ning Health Care and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine ; Student Counseling Center
| | - Yu-Cheng Kao
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine ; Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Song-Shan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nian-Sheng Tzeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine ; Student Counseling Center
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15
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Substance use and misuse in the Croatian Army Special Forces: prevalence and influencing factors. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2014; 27:123-31. [DOI: 10.2478/s13382-014-0241-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
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16
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Huerta-Franco MR, Vargas-Luna M, Tienda P, Delgadillo-Holtfort I, Balleza-Ordaz M, Flores-Hernandez C. Effects of occupational stress on the gastrointestinal tract. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2013; 4:108-118. [PMID: 24244879 PMCID: PMC3829457 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v4.i4.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the relationship between occupational stress and gastrointestinal alterations. The International Labour Organization suggests occupational health includes psychological aspects to achieve mental well-being. However, the definition of health risks for an occupation includes biological, chemical, physical and ergonomic factors but does not address psychological stress or other affective disorders. Nevertheless, multiple investigations have studied occupational stress and its physiological consequences, focusing on specific risk groups and occupations considered stressful. Among the physiological effects of stress, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) alterations are highly prevalent. The relationship between occupational stress and GIT diseases is evident in everyday clinical practice; however, the usual strategy is to attack the effects but not the root of the problem. That is, in clinics, occupational stress is recognized as a source of GIT problems, but employers do not ascribe it enough importance as a risk factor, in general, and for gastrointestinal health, in particular. The identification, stratification, measurement and evaluation of stress and its associated corrective strategies, particularly for occupational stress, are important topics to address in the near future to establish the basis for considering stress as an important risk factor in occupational health.
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Martins LCX, Lopes CS. Rank, job stress, psychological distress and physical activity among military personnel. BMC Public Health 2013; 13:716. [PMID: 23914802 PMCID: PMC3846587 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physical fitness is one of the most important qualities in armed forces personnel. However, little is known about the association between the military environment and the occupational and leisure-time dimensions of the physical activity practiced there. This study assessed the association of rank, job stress and psychological distress with physical activity levels (overall and by dimensions). Methods This a cross-sectional study among 506 military service personnel of the Brazilian Army examined the association of rank, job stress and psychological distress with physical activity through multiple linear regression using a generalized linear model. Results The adjusted models showed that the rank of lieutenant was associated with most occupational physical activity (β = 0.324; CI 95% 0.167; 0.481); “high effort and low reward” was associated with more occupational physical activity (β = 0.224; CI 95% 0.098; 0.351) and with less physical activity in sports/physical exercise in leisure (β = −0.198; CI 95% −0.384; −0.011); and psychological distress was associated with less physical activity in sports/exercise in leisure (β = −0.184; CI 95% −0.321; −0.046). Conclusions The results of this study show that job stress and rank were associated with higher levels of occupational physical activity. Moreover job stress and psychological distress were associated with lower levels of physical activity in sports/exercises. In the military context, given the importance of physical activity and the psychosocial environment, both of which are related to health, these findings may offer input to institutional policies directed to identifying psychological distress early and improving work relationships, and to creating an environment more favorable to increasing the practice of leisure-time physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Cristina X Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, Rio de Janeiro State University (IMS/UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Garbarino S, Cuomo G, Chiorri C, Magnavita N. Association of work-related stress with mental health problems in a special police force unit. BMJ Open 2013; 3:e002791. [PMID: 23872288 PMCID: PMC3717472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Law and order enforcement tasks may expose special force police officers to significant psychosocial risk factors. The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between job stress and the presence of mental health symptoms while controlling sociodemographical, occupational and personality variables in special force police officers. METHOD At different time points, 292 of 294 members of the 'VI Reparto Mobile', a special police force engaged exclusively in the enforcement of law and order, responded to our invitation to complete questionnaires for the assessment of personality traits, work-related stress (using the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and the Effort-Reward-Imbalance (ERI) models) and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and burnout. RESULTS Regression analyses showed that lower levels of support and reward and higher levels of effort and overcommitment were associated with higher levels of mental health symptoms. Psychological screening revealed 21 (7.3%) likely cases of mild depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI≥10). Officers who had experienced a discrepancy between work effort and rewards showed a marked increase in the risk of depression (OR 7.89, 95% CI 2.32 to 26.82) when compared with their counterparts who did not perceive themselves to be in a condition of distress. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that work-related stress may play a role in the development of mental health problems in police officers. The prevalence of mental health symptoms in the cohort investigated here was low, but not negligible in the case of depression. Since special forces police officers have to perform sensitive tasks for which a healthy psychological functioning is needed, the results of this study suggest that steps should be taken to prevent distress and improve the mental well-being of these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Garbarino
- State Police Health Service Department, Ministry of the Interior, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuomo
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Chiorri
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology Area, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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Martins LCX, Kuhn L. Prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns em jovens brasileiros recém-incorporados ao Serviço Militar Obrigatório e fatores associados. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2013. [DOI: 10.1590/s1413-81232013000600031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A saúde mental de militares das Forças Armadas é uma área de investigação ainda pouco explorada no Brasil. O presente estudo teve por objetivo estimar a prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) e identificar os fatores a estes associados em jovens brasileiros recém-incorporados ao serviço militar obrigatório: os recrutas. A população de estudo foi composta de 78 jovens adultos do sexo masculino. A ocorrência de TMC (variável dependente) foi avaliada por meio do General Health Questionnaire, versão 12 itens (GHQ-12). Para estimar as associações entre TMC e as variáveis independentes foram utilizados o teste χ²(Qui-quadrado)e a regressão logística. Os resultados mostraram uma prevalência de TMC de 43,6% (IC 95% 33,14 - 54,64). As razões de prevalência de TMC mostraram-se entre 4 e 5 vezes maiores entre os que apresentavam distúrbios do sono, sendo que estes se mostraram como único fator associado a TMC. Estes resultados parecem indicar que as situações vivenciadas pelos recrutas em seu ambiente de trabalho podem estar associadas com TMC de forma causal. Outros estudos, com desenho longitudinal, são necessários para que tal efeito seja confirmado.
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