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LaCroix JM, Baggett CMR, Lee-Tauler SY, Carter SP, Vileta S, Neff LC(RDR, Finton LB, Bottema MGSJ, Bowling SM(RE, Hosack TSME, Grammer J, Stivers M, Darmour CA, Ghahramanlou-Holloway M. Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT) for Special Operations Forces and spouses. Mil Psychol 2024; 36:266-273. [PMID: 38661465 PMCID: PMC11057656 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2021.1981709] [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: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly complex and unpredictable personnel and operational demands require Special Operations Forces (SOF) members and their families to remain flexible, adaptive, and resilient within ever-changing circumstances. To mitigate the impact of these stressors on psychological health and fitness, researchers and educators at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) developed Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT), a cognitive performance optimization program supported by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF). The goal of SOCAT is to enhance cognitive agility, defined as the ability to deliberately adapt cognitive processing strategies in accordance with dynamic shifts in situational and environmental demands, in order to facilitate decision making and adapt to change. Overall, SOCAT emphasizes optimal cognitive performance across different contexts - as well as across various stages of the military lifecycle - to serve as a buffer against biopsychosocial vulnerabilities, environmental and social stressors, military operational demands, and behavioral health problems, including suicide. This paper reviews foundational research behind SOCAT, mechanisms through which SOCAT is anticipated to build psychological resilience, and describes the process of developing and tailoring SOCAT for active duty SOF members and spouses. Limitations and future directions, including an ongoing, randomized controlled program evaluation, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. LaCroix
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Su Yeon Lee-Tauler
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah P. Carter
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Staci Vileta
- Headquarters United States Special Operations Command, Preservation of the Force and Family, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Tech Sergeant Meagan E. Hosack
- Headquarters United States Special Operations Command, Preservation of the Force and Family, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Joseph Grammer
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Max Stivers
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles A. Darmour
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marjan Ghahramanlou-Holloway
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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