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Reed-Fitzke K, Ferraro AJ, Duncan JM, Wojciak AS, Hamilton A, Pippert HD. Resilience in Army STARRS: Evaluating psychometrics of a multi-dimensional resilience measure. Mil Psychol 2023; 35:521-528. [PMID: 37903165 PMCID: PMC10617280 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2131187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
As policymakers and the U.S. military continue to place an emphasis on the resilience of servicemembers, it is critical to utilize psychometrically sound and valid scales to measure resilience. Using two independent samples of Army soldiers-in-training, this study explored the measurement of resilience in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience among Servicemembers (Army STARRS) New Soldier Study Component (NSS). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify the factor structure of a measure of resilience within the Army STARRS NSS. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then used to confirm the factor structure, then internal reliability was assessed. Convergent validity of the identified resilience factors was examined using two-tailed bivariate correlations. The EFA identified a three-factor structure of a measure of resilience. The CFA confirm the first-order three-factor structure of stress tolerance, positive orientation, and social resources. Each factor was uniquely distinct from measures of the likelihood of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, lifetime stressful events, and social network. Findings highlights the utility of a three-factor aggregate measure of resilience in the Army STARRS NSS and provide practitioners with a more nuanced picture of the role of resilience among soldiers-in-training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Reed-Fitzke
- Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Anthony J. Ferraro
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
| | - James M. Duncan
- School of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
| | - Armeda S. Wojciak
- Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Alexus Hamilton
- Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Hilary D. Pippert
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
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Lucier-Greer M, Frye-Cox N, Reed-Fitzke K, Ferraro AJ, Mancini JA. Military-related stress, self-efficacy, and anxiety: Investigating the role of marital quality in military couples. Fam Process 2023; 62:1253-1271. [PMID: 36305360 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study utilizes a stress process framework in conjunction with a crossover perspective to conceptualize how stress, specifically military-related stress, manifests within individuals and couples. An actor-partner interdependence mediation modeling approach was used in a cross-sectional sample of 243 military couples to examine whether difficulties managing military-related stress may erode one's own self-efficacy and, in turn, contribute to greater anxiety (actor effects) and/or one's partner's self-efficacy and, in turn, anxiety (partner effects). Further, the potential moderating impact of marital quality was explicated in the model to understand if greater marital quality might buffer the impact of military-related stress. There was support for the stress process model primarily regarding actor effects; fewer partner effects emerged. One's own perceptions of military-related stress, specifically higher stress, were related to lower levels of their own self-efficacy, and, consequently, higher anxiety, but military-related stress did not directly affect the partner's self-efficacy or anxiety. Both service members' and civilian spouses' marital quality had ramifications for civilian spouses' self-efficacy, specifically a buffering effect; that was not the case regarding civilian spouse effects on the military member. Findings point to specific ways in which military stressors have implications for personal well-being, the role of a strong couple relationship in buffering stress, especially for civilian spouses, and concomitant leverage points for supporting both individual and couple well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick Frye-Cox
- Human Sciences and Design, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Anthony J Ferraro
- Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Jay A Mancini
- Human Development, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Human Development and Family Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Reed-Fitzke K, LeardMann CA, Wojciak AS, Ferraro AJ, Hamilton A, Duncan JM, Rull RP. Identifying at-risk marines: A person-centered approach to adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and social support. J Affect Disord 2023; 325:721-731. [PMID: 36627058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research indicates an association between adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and health outcomes; however, most of these studies rely on variable-centered techniques. This study implemented a person-centered approach to provide a more nuanced understanding of these relations. METHODS The sample consisted of 3611 male Marines who completed two surveys, one prior to service and another during or after service. A series of latent class analyses were conducted to identify homogenous subgroups, using ACE categories as indicators. Hierarchical regressions were conducted to examine the relationships between classes, deployment experiences, depression and PTSD, and social support problems. RESULTS Five classes were identified: Low Adversity (48.8 %), Low Adversity - Parental Separation (PS; 33.1 %), Elevated Adversity (7.0 %), Moderate Adversity - Violence/Safety (5.7 %), and Moderate Adversity - Parental Loss (PL; 5.4 %). Several classes were associated with outcomes; in reference to Low Adversity, Moderate Adversity - PL was associated with depression and PTSD, Elevated Adversity was associated with PTSD and social support problems, and Low Adversity - PS was associated with social support problems. Experiencing moderate to high combat appeared to modify the associations between Moderate Adversity - PL and depression and PTSD. LIMITATIONS Study sample was limited to U.S. Marines; ACEs indicators were limited to specific categories, not allowing for a full range of potential childhood traumatic experiences. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest a nuanced connection between ACEs and mental health; using specific patterns of ACEs, particularly multifaceted indicators of adversity that are inclusive of parental absence may have more utility than the sheer number of ACEs as an indicator for those who may at a heightened risk for mental health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cynthia A LeardMann
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Rudolph P Rull
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
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Ferraro AJ, Lucier-Greer M. The Case for Multidimensional Co-Parenting Behaviors as Sources of Chronic Stress: Understanding Pathways to Mental Health Symptomology Among Divorced and Separating Adults. J Fam Nurs 2022; 28:353-367. [PMID: 36173128 DOI: 10.1177/10748407221124235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The co-parenting relationship matters for postdivorce parental adjustment. This study explores the relative impact of different forms of co-parenting behaviors, coupled with an individual's psychological resources, in explaining parent mental health in recently divorced or separated parents (n = 355). A latent variable structural equation model was fit to examine pathways between dimensions of co-parenting (support, overt conflict, self-controlled covert conflict, and externally controlled covert conflict), various psychological resources (satisfaction with the divorce decree, perceived competence of the co-parent, and self-efficacy), and adverse mental health symptomology. Significant direct pathways were identified between overt co-parenting conflict and adverse mental health. Indicators of co-parenting quality were tied differentially to various resources. Indirect effects were found for both self-controlled covert conflict and overt conflict on adverse mental health symptomology through self-efficacy. Leverage points and considerations for health professionals and practitioners working with divorcing parents are discussed.
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Smith KM, Cobb KF, Reed-Fitzke K, Ferraro AJ, Duncan JM, Lucier-Greer M. Connections between parental reciprocity and emerging adult depressive symptoms and loneliness: The role of peer social support. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement 2022. [DOI: 10.1037/cbs0000284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Duncan JM, Reed-Fitzke K, Ferraro AJ, Wojciak AS, Smith KM, Sánchez J. Identifying Risk and Resilience Factors Associated With the Likelihood of Seeking Mental Health Care Among U.S. Army Soldiers-in-Training. Mil Med 2020; 185:e1247-e1254. [PMID: 32077952 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Department of Defense aims to maintain mission readiness of its service members. Therefore, it is important to understand factors associated with treatment seeking in order to identify areas of prevention and intervention early in a soldier's career that can promote positive functioning and increase their likelihood of seeking mental health care when necessary. METHOD Using a theory of planned behavior lens, this study identified potential barriers (risk) and facilitators (resilience) to treatment seeking among 24,717 soldiers-in-training who participated in the New Soldiers Study component of the "Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers" (Army STARRS). Approval for this study was granted by the University of Iowa IRB # 201706739. Hierarchal linear regression modeling and independent samples t-tests were used to examine associations between demographics and study variables, intersections of risk and resilience, and to explore differences in the likelihood of seeking help based on mental health diagnoses. RESULTS A four-stage hierarchical linear regression was conducted, using likelihood of help-seeking as the dependent variable, to identify the most salient factors related to help-seeking. "Step one" of the analysis revealed soldiers-in-training who identified as female, Hispanic or Other ethnicity, and married, divorced, or separated reported a greater likelihood of seeking help. "Step two" of the analysis indicated soldiers-in-training with a history of sexual trauma, experience of impaired parenting, and clinical levels of mental health symptomatology (anxiety, depression, PTSD) reported a greater likelihood of seeking help. Inversely, soldiers-in-training with a history of emotional trauma and parental absence/separation reported a lower likelihood of seeking help. "Step three" of the analysis demonstrated soldiers-in-training with a prior history of seeking help and larger social networks had a greater likelihood of seeking help. "Step four" of the analysis revealed several interactive effects between risk and resilience factors. Specifically, soldiers-in-training who reported greater depressive symptomatology in combination with prior history of treatment seeking reported a greater likelihood of help seeking, whereas soldiers-in-training who reported prior sexual trauma and PTSD in combination with large social networks reported a lower likelihood of seeking help. Finally, a greater percentage of soldiers-in-training with clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD indicated they would likely seek help in comparison to soldiers-in-training without clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION Findings suggest few soldiers-in-training are likely to seek help when experiencing a problem. General efforts to encourage help-seeking when needed are warranted with particular focus on subsets of soldiers-in-training (eg, men, those with a history of some adverse childhood experiences). Strengths of this study include the examination of a large sample of soldiers-in-training to identify possible leverage points for early intervention or prevention prior to entering stressful military operating environments. Limitations of this study include the examination of only one military branch and exclusion of soldiers not "in-training." Future studies could consider replicating the current study using a sample of military personnel longitudinally to track behavioral trends as well as looking at military populations outside of basic combat training.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Duncan
- Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, The University of Arkansas, 118 Human Environmental Sciences Building, 987 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - Kayla Reed-Fitzke
- College of Education, The University of Iowa, 361 Lindquist Center, 240 South Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Anthony J Ferraro
- College of Health & Human Sciences, The Kansas State University, 312 Justin Hall, 1324 Lovers Lane Manhattan, KS 66506
| | - Armeda S Wojciak
- College of Education, The University of Iowa, 361 Lindquist Center, 240 South Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Kevin M Smith
- College of Education, The University of Iowa, 361 Lindquist Center, 240 South Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Jennifer Sánchez
- College of Education, The University of Iowa, 361 Lindquist Center, 240 South Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
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O'Neal CW, Lucier-Greer M, Mancini JA, Ferraro AJ, Ross DB. Family Relational Health, Psychological Resources, and Health Behaviors: A Dyadic Study of Military Couples. Mil Med 2016; 181:152-60. [DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-14-00740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Ferraro AJ. Ulrich's PLUS: A New Serials Reference Technology. Serials Review 1987. [DOI: 10.1080/00987913.1987.10763757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Rowe
- Ionosphere Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, USA
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