1
|
Weiss-Dagan S, Taubman-Ben-Ari O. Perceived stress and personal growth following the transition to military service: The role of sense of coherence and perceived social support. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3406. [PMID: 38646939 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Relying on personal growth and structuration theories, we aimed to examine the internal (sense of coherence/SOC and help-seeking/HS) and external (perceived social support) resources that contribute to soldiers' personal growth following the transition to military service. We also investigated the role that perceived social support plays in moderating the relationship between SOC and personal growth, and between HS and personal growth. Two-hundred-and-seventy-one compulsory service soldiers (of whom 135 were men and 136 were women) completed self-report questionnaires between 6 and 12 months post-recruitment. The results showed both linear and curvilinear associations between soldiers' perceived stress and personal growth; SOC, HS, and perceived social support were positively correlated with personal growth; and perceived social support moderated both SOC and HS correlations with personal growth. Empirical evidence of personal growth in the transition to military service has been scant. Transitioning from civilian life to military service can be stressful and even traumatic but it can also provide opportunities for personal development. Our findings shed light on contributors to personal growth in the transition to military service, with both internal and external resources found to help one gain personal growth. It is evident that in order for soldiers to thrive, both perceived social support and active help-seeking are key factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Weiss-Dagan
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Orit Taubman-Ben-Ari
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schkade I, Sadeghi-Bahmani D, Lang UE, Blais RK, Stanga Z, Ülgür II, Brand S, Annen H. Military Values, Military Virtues, and Vulnerable Narcissism among Cadets of the Swiss Armed Forces-Results of a Cross-Sectional Study. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2024; 14:2074-2086. [PMID: 39056653 PMCID: PMC11275259 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14070138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: For military leaders, military values and virtues are important psychological prerequisites for successful leadership and for ethical and moral military behavior. However, research on predictors of military values and virtues is scarce. Given this background, we investigated whether Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), resilience, and vulnerable narcissism might be favorably or unfavorably associated with military values and virtues, and whether vulnerable narcissism could moderate the association between the OCB-by-resilience-interaction, and military virtues. Methods: A total of 214 officer cadets (mean age: 20.75 years; 96.8% males) of the Swiss Armed Forces (SAF) volunteered to take part in this cross-sectional study. They completed a booklet of self-rating scales covering dimensions of military values and military virtues, OCB, resilience, and vulnerable narcissism. Results: Higher scores for military virtues were associated with higher scores for military values, OCB, and resilience, and with lower scores for vulnerable narcissism. Multiple regression models showed that higher scores for OCB and resilience were associated with military values and virtues. Vulnerable narcissism moderated the association between military virtues, and the OCB-by-resilience-interaction: the higher the vulnerable narcissism, the more the OCB-by-resilience-interaction was associated with lower scores for military virtues. Conclusions: Among cadets of the SAF, the associations between military values, military virtues, OCB, and resilience were highly intertwined, while vulnerable narcissism appeared to attenuate the association between military virtues, OCB, and resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Immanuel Schkade
- Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (I.S.); (U.E.L.)
| | - Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Undine E. Lang
- Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (I.S.); (U.E.L.)
| | - Rebecca K. Blais
- Psychology Department, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Zeno Stanga
- Centre of Competence for Military and Disaster Medicine, Swiss Armed Forces, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (Z.S.); (I.I.Ü.)
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ismail I. Ülgür
- Centre of Competence for Military and Disaster Medicine, Swiss Armed Forces, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (Z.S.); (I.I.Ü.)
| | - Serge Brand
- Center of Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise, and Health, Department of Medicine, University of Basel, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
- Center for Disaster Psychiatry and Disaster Psychology, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Annen
- Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kalvesmaki AF, Trevino AY, Charron E, Kroll-Desrosiers A, Peterson K, Pugh MJ. The Impact of Resilience on Employment Among Post-9/11 Veterans With and Without Military Sexual Trauma Exposure. Mil Med 2024; 189:e493-e501. [PMID: 37464907 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Successful employment is a functional outcome of high importance for veterans after military discharge. There is a significant rising concern regarding exposure to military sexual trauma (MST) and related mental health outcomes that can impair functional outcomes, such as employment. Although resilience training is a key component of preparing for military service, to date the impact of resilience on employment outcomes for veterans with exposure to MST has yet to be examined. We sought to examine the relationship between resilience and employment in a national sample of post-9/11 veterans with and without MST exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS A national survey was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 to respond to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandate to identify factors affecting post-9/11 women veteran's unemployment. Of veterans, 1,185 completed the survey. Of these, 565 (47.6%) were post-9/11 veterans. The survey collected data on demographics and employment; MST, adult sexual trauma (AST, outside of military), and childhood sexual trauma (CST) exposure; resilience (Response to Stressful Experiences Scale); Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL-5); and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2). Multivariable logistic regression models identified gender-specific associations of resilience with employment among those exposed and not exposed to MST, adjusting for AST, CST, PTSD, and depression. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS Of 322 women and 243 men post-9/11 veterans, 86.5% were employed. MST exposure (MST[+]) was reported by 31.4% (n = 101) of women and 16.9% (n = 41) of men. MST(+) women veterans were more likely to report CST (35.6% vs. 14.5%; P < .001), AST (68.3% vs. 17.2%; P < .001), and both CST and AST (19.8% vs. 7.2%; P < .001) than MST(-) women. MST(+) men were more likely to report AST (65.9% vs. 7.9%; P < .001), and both CST and AST (14.6% vs. 1.0%; P < .001) than MST(-) men. Levels of self-reported resilience were similar for MST(+) women and men and their MST(-) counterparts (women: 11.1 vs. 11.0; men: 11.5 vs. 12.0). For MST(+) women, each unit increase in resilience was associated with a 36% increase in odds of employment (OR: 1.36, 95% CI, 1.08-1.71); resilience was not associated with increased odds of employment among MST(-) women. Among MST(+) men veterans, each unit increase in resilience was associated with an 83% increase in odds of employment (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI, 1.13-2.98), and like women veterans, resilience was not associated with employment among MST(-) men. CONCLUSIONS Among MST(+) women and men post-9/11 veterans, higher resilience was associated with increased odds of employment, whereas resilience was not associated with employment in MST(-) veterans. These findings suggest that resiliency during and after military service is a key component for potentially improving long-term outcomes. Improving resilience using evidence-based approaches among post-9/11 veterans exposed to MST may be an important avenue for increasing successful functional outcomes such as employment. Moreover, MST(+) women and men veterans may benefit from trauma-informed care as a substantial proportion of these individuals also report exposure to CST, AST, PTSD, and depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea F Kalvesmaki
- Informatics Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Amira Y Trevino
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Utah College of Education, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Elizabeth Charron
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Schusterman Center, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA
| | - Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, 421 North Main Street, Leeds, MA 01053, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Kelly Peterson
- Informatics Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Informatics Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bekesiene S, Smaliukienė R, Vaičaitienė R, Bagdžiūnienė D, Kanapeckaitė R, Kapustian O, Nakonechnyi O. Prioritizing competencies for soldier's mental resilience: an application of integrative fuzzy-trapezoidal decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory in updating training program. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1239481. [PMID: 38374929 PMCID: PMC10875136 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1239481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The development of resilience is of the utmost importance in military training due to the demanding and high-stress nature of combat situations. Although there have been numerous studies on resilience competencies in the military, there is a research gap when it comes to identifying the most essential competencies that should be prioritized in training programs, particularly within compressed timeframes. With the current geopolitical landscape and ongoing military conflicts in Europe, it is necessary to expedite training of soldiers, including resilience training, without compromising the effectiveness of the program. This study aims to address this research gap by using a reductionist approach to resilience training and identifying the critical competencies that senior soldiers need to be trained to coach younger soldiers to maintain psychological strength during deployment. By filling this research gap, the study will contribute to the development of more efficient and targeted resilience training programs that optimize the ability of soldiers to adapt and excel in challenging military environments. Methods To address the issue, this study assessed the competencies comprising the master resilience training (MRT) program, widely recognized as one of the most effective military resilience training programs. Two groups of military experts, totaling 16 individuals, were involved in the evaluation process, representing two military contexts. The first group consisted of Ukrainian military experts whose experiences primarily focused on defending their own country's territory. The second group comprised Lithuanian military experts who had greater expertise in conducting military missions abroad. The assessment of resilience competencies was carried out using a deep analysis approach through the application of effective multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). Specifically, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was used, which is a significant multicriteria technique used to determine relationships among criteria and assign weight coefficients. In this study, the DEMATEL model was extended using trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFN-DEMATEL) to accommodate decision-making under uncertainty conditions. Results The research findings highlight the critical importance of three core resilience competencies: self-regulation, mental agility and strength of character. The importance of each competency varies depending on the specific military context. When defending one's own country's territory, strength of character emerges as the key factor in enhancing soldiers' mental resilience. Conversely, during military operations abroad, self-regulation is the primary factor that promotes psychological resilience. Furthermore, the results show that these three primary competencies form a 'cause group' that influences other competencies through a cause-and-effect dependency. Conclusion Based on the findings, the theoretical conclusion is drawn that the importance of resilience competencies is contextually differentiated. Furthermore, each resilience competency is associated with a set of causes or effects. These are valuable insights for improving resilience competency training programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svajone Bekesiene
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Smaliukienė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ramutė Vaičaitienė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dalia Bagdžiūnienė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Polusny MA, Marquardt CA, Hubbling M, Campbell EH, Arbisi PA, Davenport ND, Lim KO, Lissek S, Schaefer JD, Sponheim SR, Masten AS, Noorbaloochi S. Adaptation in Young Military Recruits: Protocol for the Advancing Research on Mechanisms of Resilience (ARMOR) Prospective Longitudinal Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e51235. [PMID: 37792432 PMCID: PMC10585449 DOI: 10.2196/51235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military services provide a unique opportunity for studying resilience, a dynamic process of successful adaptation (ie, doing well in terms of functioning and symptoms) in response to significant adversity. Despite the tremendous interest in positive adaptation among military service members, little is known about the processes underlying their resilience. Understanding the neurobiological, cognitive, and social mechanisms underlying adaptive functioning following military stressor exposure is essential for enhancing the resilience of military service members. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Advancing Research on Mechanisms of Resilience (ARMOR) longitudinal study is to characterize the trajectories of positive adaptation among young military recruits in response to basic combat training (BCT), a well-defined, uniform, and 10-week period of intense stress (aim 1), and identify promotive and protective processes contributing to individual variations in resilience (aim 2). The secondary objective is to investigate the pathways by which neurobehavioral markers of self-regulation assessed using electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging contribute to adaptive trajectories (aim 3). METHODS ARMOR is an ongoing, prospective longitudinal cohort study of young military recruits who recently joined the National Guard but have not yet shipped out for BCT. Participants (N=1201) are assessed at 5 time points over the initial >2 years of military service beginning before BCT (baseline) and followed up at 2 weeks and 6, 12, and 18 months after BCT. Participants complete web-based questionnaires assessing vulnerability and protective factors, mental health, and socioemotional functioning at each time point and a battery of neurocognitive tests at time 0. A subset of participants also complete structured diagnostic interviews and additional self-report measures and perform neurobehavioral tasks before and after BCT during electroencephalography sessions and before BCT only during magnetic resonance imaging sessions. RESULTS This UG3/UH3 project was initially funded in August 2017, with the UG3 pilot work completed at the end of 2018. The UH3 phase of the project was funded in March 2019. Study enrollment for the UH3 phase began on April 14, 2019, and ended on October 16, 2021. A total of 1201 participants are enrolled in the study. Follow-up data collection for the UH3 phase is ongoing and projected to continue through February 2024. We will disseminate the findings through conferences, webinars, open access publications, and communications with participants and stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS The ARMOR study provides a rich data set to identify the predictors and mechanisms of resilient and nonresilient outcomes in the context of military stressors, which are intended to empirically inform the development of prevention and intervention strategies to enhance the resilience of military trainees and potentially other young people facing significant life challenges. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/51235.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Polusny
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Craig A Marquardt
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Michelle Hubbling
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Emily Hagel Campbell
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Paul A Arbisi
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Nicholas D Davenport
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kelvin O Lim
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Shmuel Lissek
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jonathan D Schaefer
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Scott R Sponheim
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Ann S Masten
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hof T, Zuidema PM, Pennings HJM. Quality of life, psychosocial characteristics, and study skills affecting recruits' intention to quit Basic Military Training. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 35:467-479. [PMID: 37615559 PMCID: PMC10453997 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2124790] [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: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Quitting Basic Military Training (BMT) is a problem in the Dutch Armed Forces. Previous research focused on physical factors. Yet, contemporary research focuses on psychosocial characteristics, study skills, and quality of life factors associated with recruits' intention to quit BMT. We combined several factors to identify the key factors affecting recruits' intentions to quit BMT. We also studied gender and rank position differences. Three hundred fifty-five recruits enrolled in BMT participated by completing a self-report questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis showed that being highly engaged with BMT, having a high sense of belonging, and being highly proactive resulted in lower intention to quit. Having a high sense of responsibility resulted in higher intention to quit BMT. For gender, significant differences were found in study skills and self-esteem. For rank positions, significant differences were found in several psychosocial characteristics, study skills, quality of life factors, and intention to quit; with officer rank recruits showing higher intentions to quit than noncommissioned officer rank recruits. These identified factors can be used to improve conditions for BMT recruits. It is further advised to investigate the origin of gender and rank position differences that affect associations between psychosocial characteristics, study skills, quality of life factors, and recruits' intention to quit, so that these differences can be minimized in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tineke Hof
- Department Human Behavior and Training, Unit Defense, Safety and Security, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Soesterberg, The Netherlands
| | - Pauline M. Zuidema
- Department Human Behavior and Training, Unit Defense, Safety and Security, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Soesterberg, The Netherlands
| | - Helena J. M. Pennings
- Department Human Behavior and Training, Unit Defense, Safety and Security, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Soesterberg, The Netherlands
- Utrecht Center for Research and Development of Health Professions Education, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hitz AC, Hubbling SBD, Hodges A, Campbell EMH, Bangerter A, Polusny MA. Feasibility of a prospective, longitudinal study of resilience among young military recruits with embedded laboratory sub-study: the ARMOR pilot trial. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3112652. [PMID: 37461702 PMCID: PMC10350231 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3112652/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Background Multilevel, longitudinal studies are integral to resilience research; however, they are costly and present unique methodological challenges. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of study methods (recruitment, retention, data collection) for a large-scale prospective, longitudinal study of resilience among young National Guard recruits. Methods This feasibility trial used a pre-test/post-test design with embedded laboratory sub-study. Participants were young military recruits who had recently enlisted in the Army National Guard and had not yet shipped to Basic Combat Training (BCT). Recruitment and baseline data collection (Time 1), which included a battery of computerized self-report measures and neurocognitive tests, were conducted at local armories. Participants completed an online follow-up (Time 2) survey outside of drill training after returning from BCT. A subset of participants was recruited to complete extensive laboratory procedures pre-and post-BCT, including clinical interview, additional self-report measures, and performance on a series of neurobehavioral tasks during electroencephalogram recordings and, at pre-BCT only, magnetic resonances imaging. Feasibility outcomes assessed our ability to recruit, retain, and collect data from participants. Analysis of outcomes was based on descriptive statistics and evaluation of the feasibility of the larger study was based on pre-determined go/no go progression criteria. Results All pre-determined progression criteria were met. A total of 102 (97.1%) of eligible military service members consented to participate. Of these, 73 (73.7%) completed the Time 2 survey. Of the 24 participants approached, 14 agreed to participate in the laboratory sub-study, 13 completed follow-up laboratory visits. Overall, completion of online surveys and laboratory tasks was excellent. However, participants had difficulties completing online surveys during BCT and the computerized neurocognitive testing battery at Time 2. Conclusions Study methods were feasible, and all predetermined criteria for progression to the large-scale longitudinal study were met. Some minor protocol adaptations were identified from this feasibility study. Lessons learned and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Hitz
- University of Minnesota Medical School Twin Cities Campus: University of Minnesota Twin Cities School of Medicine
| | | | - Annika Hodges
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System: Minneapolis VA Medical Center
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Niederhauser M, Zueger R, Annen H, Gültekin N, Stanga Z, Brand S, Sadeghi-Bahmani D. Effects of Resilience Training on Resilient Functioning in Chronic Stress Situations among Cadets of the Swiss Armed Forces. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1329. [PMID: 37174871 PMCID: PMC10177788 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on resilient functioning has gained increasing interest, and some recent studies interpreted resilience in the sense of resilient functioning to stress. In the present study, we investigated the associations between resilient functioning and coping strategies, stress reactivity, self-efficacy, and well-being, and we examined whether resilient functioning could be improved through a training intervention. The participants were 110 male cadets from two infantry officers' schools of the Swiss Armed Forces. The schools were divided into an intervention and control group. The participants in the intervention group took part in the resilience training intervention, whereas the participants in the control group performed military training as usual. Data were assessed before and after the intervention period. Results showed that resilient functioning was positively associated with task-oriented coping and well-being and negatively associated with emotion-oriented coping and stress reactivity. Furthermore, resilient functioning significantly improved in the intervention group from pre- to post-intervention. The results suggested that specific interventions have the power to increase resilient functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madlaina Niederhauser
- Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland; (M.N.); (R.Z.)
| | - Regula Zueger
- Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland; (M.N.); (R.Z.)
| | - Hubert Annen
- Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland; (M.N.); (R.Z.)
| | - Nejla Gültekin
- Centre of Competence for Military and Disaster Medicine, Swiss Armed Forces, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.G.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zeno Stanga
- Centre of Competence for Military and Disaster Medicine, Swiss Armed Forces, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.G.); (Z.S.)
| | - Serge Brand
- Center for Disaster Psychiatry and Disaster Psychology, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland;
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67146, Iran;
- Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67146, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 25529, Iran
- Center for Disaster Psychiatry and Disaster Psychology, Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67146, Iran;
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bekesiene S, Smaliukienė R, Kanapeckaitė R. The Relationship between Psychological Hardiness and Military Performance by Reservists: A Moderation Effect of Perceived Stress and Resilience. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11091224. [PMID: 37174765 PMCID: PMC10178462 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of hardiness on the perceived military performance of reservists, i.e., young people who have full-time jobs in a civilian sector and perform military training as a part of their civic duty. We proposed the conceptual model with conditional indirect effects of the hardiness on personal military performance, where mediated moderation effects are observed from personality traits and variables important for military service: team cohesion, perceived stress, and psychological resilience. The final dataset was comprised of 384 self-reported paper-pencil questionnaires filled out by reserve soldiers, and PROCESS Macro 3.5 Model 7 and Model 14 were used for the analysis. The results revealed that perceived stress (Model 1) and psychological resilience (Model 2) have a statistically significant moderate mediating effect on the interlink between hardiness and performance when personality traits and team cohesion are taken into consideration. The change in R2 is statistically significant and explains how perceived stress and psychological resilience affect individuals. When psychological hardiness is low, the level of perceived stress has a statistically significant moderating effect, i.e., it reduces the effect of hardiness on performance. When comparing the effects of perceived stress and psychological resilience, the latter has a stronger moderating effect on performance. Specifically, the moderating effect of resilience was more evident in Model 2 (66.9% variance, r = 0.818) for the military performance of the reservists than the perceived stress in Model 1 (52.5% variance, r = 0.724). This means that resilience increases the accountability of Model 2 compared to Model 1 by 14.4%. We conclude that resilience training could statistically significantly increase the military performance of reserve soldiers as a tactical population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svajone Bekesiene
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo 5a, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Smaliukienė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo 5a, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rosita Kanapeckaitė
- General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo 5a, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
- Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Universiteto g. 9/1, LT-01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Physiological biomarker monitoring during arduous military training: Maintaining readiness and performance. J Sci Med Sport 2022:S1440-2440(22)00502-3. [PMID: 36631385 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Physiological and psychological stressors can degrade soldiers' readiness and performance during military training and operational environments. Integrative and holistic assessments of biomarkers across diverse human performance optimization domains during multistressor training can be leveraged to provide actionable insight to military leadership regarding service member health and readiness. DESIGN/METHOD A broad categorization of biomarkers, to include biochemical measures, bone and body composition, psychometric assessments, movement screening, and physiological load can be incorporated into robust analytical pipelines for understanding the complex factors that impact military human performance. RESULTS In this perspective commentary we overview the rationale, selection, and methodologies for monitoring biomarker domains that are relevant to military research and specifically highlight methods that have been incorporated in a research program funded by the Office of Naval Research, Code 34 Biological and Physiological Monitoring and Modeling of Warfighter Performance. CONCLUSIONS The integration of screening and continuous monitoring methodologies via robust analytical approaches will provide novel insight for military leaders regarding health, performance, and readiness outcomes during multistressor military training.
Collapse
|
11
|
Valladares-Garrido MJ, Huamani-Colquichagua Y, Anchay-Zuloeta C, Picón-Reátegui CK, Valladares-Garrido D. Time in Service and Resilience in Active Military Personnel during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Peru. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11052. [PMID: 36078763 PMCID: PMC9518471 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191711052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Greater occupational exposure may have a positive effect on the development of resilience. We aimed to determine the association between working time and resilience in Peruvian military personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. A secondary data analysis was performed including 586 records of military personnel who supported the health emergency during the second epidemic wave in Lambayeque, Peru. Resilience was measured with the short form of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Working time and other relevant covariates were collected by self-report. Generalized linear models were used. The mean resilience score was 22.18 and 43.2% scored high for resilience. Participants reported that they are strong individuals when facing difficulties (42.3%), are able to handle unpleasant feelings (40.3%), and achieve their goals despite obstacles (40.4%). Working more than 18 months was associated with a 35% higher prevalence of high resilience (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.05-1.75). In conclusion, a notable number of military personnel experienced high levels of resilience during the pandemic. Working time may have played an important role in the development of this ability. Our findings could help guide the deployment and organization of the military in health emergency support missions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario J. Valladares-Garrido
- South American Center for Education and Research in Public Health, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
- Oficina de Epidemiología, Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Chiclayo 14012, Peru
| | | | - Claudia Anchay-Zuloeta
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Chiclayo 14012, Peru
- Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina Veritas (SCIEMVE), Chiclayo 14012, Peru
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hasani H, Zarei B, Danaei Z, Mahmoudirad G. Comparing the Effect of Resilience Skills Training and Metacognitive Therapy on Job Stress in Nurses: An Experimental Study. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY RESEARCH 2022; 27:377-384. [PMID: 36524134 PMCID: PMC9745846 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_59_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nursing is one of the stressful professions. The work-related stressful factors have affected the physical and mental health of nurses seriously. This study aimed to compare the effect of resilience skills training and metacognitive therapy on nurses' job stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS This experimental study was conducted on 54 nurses working in intensive care units and the emergency department of Valiasr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, in 2018. Selected participants were allocated via permuted block randomization into three groups: resilience skills training, metacognitive therapy, and control (n = 18 for each group). Both resilience and metacognitive therapy programs were held in eight sessions of 45-mintraining classes twice a week. The control group received no intervention. The data were collected using a demographic characteristics form and the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and repeated measures ANOVA in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. RESULTS Job stress significantly decreased in both resilience (F2,51 = 123.5, p < 0.001) and metacognitive therapy (F2,51= 29.2, p = 0.002) groups over time. However, this decrease was not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Also, the control group's job stress mean score increased over time (F2,51 = 9.35, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that both resilience skills training and metacognitive therapy can reduce the job stress of emergency and intensive care nurses. Therefore, it is recommended that both programs be taken into account by managers to reduce nurses' job stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halimeh Hasani
- Nursing and Midwifery College, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Bahare Zarei
- Nursing and Midwifery College, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Danaei
- Nursing and Midwifery College, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Does Training Motivation Influence Resilience Training Outcome on Chronic Stress? Results from an Interventional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106179. [PMID: 35627725 PMCID: PMC9140799 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Resilience is understood as an acquired skill which aids in coping with acute and chronic stress. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the effect of resilience training on mental health problems during chronic stress. To this end, we conducted a quasi-experimental study with 127 male cadets (mean age: 21 years) of the Swiss Armed Forces officers' school. Whereas the intervention group (IG) received resilience training in addition to the standard officer's education program, the control group (CG) completed the officers' school as usual. Data assessment included pre- and post- measurement of chronic stress, symptoms of depression, and vital exhaustion in both groups. Motivation for training was collected before the first training session. Those who received the resilience training reported no change in chronic stress, whereas participants in the CG showed a significant increase in chronic stress over time (ηp2 = 0.025). Furthermore, significant differences between IG and CG were only found for symptoms of depression: Participants in the IG reported significantly decreased symptoms of depression, while this was not the case for participants in the CG. Within the IG, participants' training motivation strongly influenced the effectiveness of the resilience training. More specifically, motivated individuals were more likely to benefit from the resilience training than unmotivated ones. Outcome data suggest that resilience training appeared to favorably affect chronic stress and related mental health symptoms; however, the motivation for the training seemed to be an essential prerequisite.
Collapse
|
14
|
The influence of life narrative themes on resilience and life outcomes. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
15
|
Mohebi M, Sadeghi-Bahmani D, Zarei S, Gharayagh Zandi H, Brand S. Examining the Effects of Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Training on Self-Compassion and Grit among Elite Female Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010134. [PMID: 35010391 PMCID: PMC8750224 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based interventions are well-established in the field of psychotherapy, and such interventions have also gained increased attention in the field of sport psychology, either to cope with psychological pressure or to improve an athlete's performance. The goal of the present study was to examine whether a Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) program could increase self-compassion and grit among elite female athletes compared to an active control condition. To this end, we performed a randomized trial among female adult athletes. METHODS Forty female adult athletes (Mage = 22.22, SD = 2.40) were randomly assigned either to the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment group (n = 20; 7 group sessions, 60 min each) or the active control group (n = 20; 7 group sessions, 60 min each). At baseline, seven weeks later at the end of the study and again four weeks later at follow-up, participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires on mindfulness, self-compassion and grit. RESULTS Dimensions of mindfulness, self-compassion and grit improved over time, but more so in the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment condition compared to the active control condition. Improvements remained stable from the study end to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS While the active control condition improved dimensions of mindfulness, self-compassion and grit among female adult athletes, improvements were much stronger in the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment condition. Importantly, improvements in the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment condition remained stable over a time lapse of four weeks at follow-up after study completion, suggesting that the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment intervention appeared to improve cognitive-emotional learning processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Mohebi
- Department of Motor Behaviour and Sport Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439813117, Iran; (M.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, University of Basel, Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), 4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Sleep Disturbances Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6719851451, Iran
| | - Sahar Zarei
- Department of Motor Behaviour and Sport Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439813117, Iran; (M.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Hassan Gharayagh Zandi
- Department of Motor Behaviour and Sport Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439813117, Iran; (M.M.); (S.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.G.Z.); (S.B.)
| | - Serge Brand
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, University of Basel, Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), 4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Sleep Disturbances Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6719851451, Iran
- Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6719851451, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417466191, Iran
- Correspondence: (H.G.Z.); (S.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Positive Psychology in Times of Pandemic-Time Perspective as a Moderator of the Relationship between Resilience and Meaning in Life. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413340. [PMID: 34948949 PMCID: PMC8707410 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Resilience and meaning in life are significant indicators of psychological well-being and health, which are particularly important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they have been explored by a growing number of scientists. There has been a research gap, however, that fails to show that time perspectives also have a significant impact on the perception and building of different life aspects. The current study investigated the associations between resilience, time perspectives and meaning in life and examined the moderating role of time perspective in the relationship between resilience and meaning in life. METHODS Participants of this cross-sectional study were 363 adults aged 18-70. Resilience Measurement Scale (SPP-25), the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and the Purpose in Life Questionnaire (PIL) were used. RESULTS The findings confirmed a positive relationship between resilience, meaning in life, and positive time perspectives (Present Hedonistic and Future) and a negative link with Past Negative and Present Fatalistic perspectives. The linear regression analyses showed that Past Negative and Past Positive perspectives significantly moderated the relationship between resilience and meaning in life. The moderating effect was also confirmed in the case of past time perspectives only. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate the relevance of positive resources, such as resilience and positive perception of the past, in keeping the meaning in life. Understanding the effect of psychological strengths in the context of the pandemic time can be a key to providing intervention and therapeutic services fostering mental health and well-being.
Collapse
|