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Bartone PT, Tripp KH. Stress, hardiness and eating disorder symptoms in military academy cadets. Eat Disord 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38709164 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2024.2346681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Eating disorders are a persistent and debilitating problem, especially among college age men and women. This problem is exacerbated in occupations such as the military, where maintenance of strict standards regarding weight, fitness and appearance is important for job retention and promotion. Also, previous research confirms that stress is a contributing element to eating disorders. It is thus important to identify factors that may assist individuals to remain resilient and avoid stress-related health and eating difficulties. The present study utilizes historical data to examine the impact of stress on health and eating disorder symptoms in a representative sample of West Point military academy cadets, while testing the role of gender and hardiness as stress moderators in this relation. A survey containing measures of stress, hardiness and eating disorders symptoms was completed by 387 cadets in the fall and spring of 2000-2001. Moderation effects were tested with advanced conditional process analysis procedures developed recently by Hayes (2022). Results show that hardiness was a significant moderator, with cadets low in hardiness showing increased eating disorder symptoms and more general health symptoms. While gender was not a significant moderator with respect to eating disorder symptoms, it was significant for general health symptoms; female cadets showed more stress-related health symptoms than their male counterparts. These results suggest that eating disorder symptoms in military academy cadets and college students more generally may be reduced through programs aimed at developing hardiness attitudes and stress coping approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberly H Tripp
- Emergency Medicine Department, St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, Bryan, Texas, USA
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Bartone PT. Hardiness, leadership style and gender as predictors of leader performance in military academy cadets. Scand J Psychol 2024; 65:223-230. [PMID: 37747043 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12969] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is widely considered the premier leader development institution in the United States. Since first admitting women in 1976, few studies have examined factors that may influence female cadets to perform as leaders in this environment. The present study analyzed archival data collected during a unique longitudinal study of leader development conducted at West Point during the years 1993-2000, the Baseline Officer Leader Development Study (BOLDS). Personality hardiness, transformational and transactional leadership styles were evaluated as potential predictors of performance as leaders, according to supervisor ratings. Regression results showed that female cadets excel as leaders, outperforming male cadets as a group. Hardiness and transformational leadership style predicted leader performance for both male and female cadets. Additional analyses indicated it is the transformational leadership element of "charismatic" (or idealized influence) leadership that accounts for this finding. The transactional component "management by exception-active" also predicted leader performance, but for male cadets only. This study confirms that hardiness and charismatic leadership style are important for leadership performance of both male and female cadets. For male cadets, leader performance was also tied to actively identifying and addressing failures in subordinates. Leader development programs for both men and women may thus be enhanced by including programs to develop personality hardiness and transformational leadership qualities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Bartone PT, Roche R. Sex differences in hardiness, coping, and health in new West Point cadets. Mil Psychol 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37326426 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2220643] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point places young men and women in a highly demanding world of extreme mental and physical challenges. As such, it provides an excellent natural laboratory in which to study how people respond and adapt to highly stressful conditions. The present study explores the role of personality hardiness and coping as stress resilience resources in new (freshmen) cadets at West Point, while also considering sex differences. Using survey methods, N = 234 cadets were assessed during their first year at West Point. Measures included personality hardiness, coping strategies, health symptoms, and number of hospitalizations for all causes. Results show that female cadets are higher in hardiness and emotion-focused coping, as well as somewhat higher in symptoms reports. For the total group, hardiness is linked to better health, both in terms of symptoms reports and hospitalizations. Multiple regression results indicate symptoms are predicted by lower hardiness, higher avoidance coping, and female sex. Conditional process path analysis reveals that the effect of hardiness on symptoms is mediated by emotion-focused coping, and that emotion-focused coping can have both positive and negative effects. This study confirms hardiness is an important stress resilience resource for both men and women in the highly stressful first year at West Point. These findings lend further support to a growing body of evidence that hardiness influences health in part via the coping strategies that people choose to apply in dealing with stressful situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Rosellen Roche
- Social Epidemiology, Community and Disaster Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio
- Department of Primary Care, Cleveland Campus, Cleveland, Ohio
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Albertella L, Kirkham R, Adler AB, Crampton J, Drummond SPA, Fogarty GJ, Gross JJ, Zaichkowsky L, Andersen JP, Bartone PT, Boga D, Bond JW, Brunyé TT, Campbell MJ, Ciobanu LG, Clark SR, Crane MF, Dietrich A, Doty TJ, Driskell JE, Fahsing I, Fiore SM, Flin R, Funke J, Gatt JM, Hancock PA, Harper C, Heathcote A, Heatown KJ, Helsen WF, Hussey EK, Jackson RC, Khemlani S, Killgore WDS, Kleitman S, Lane AM, Loft S, MacMahon C, Marcora SM, McKenna FP, Meijen C, Moulton V, Moyle GM, Nalivaiko E, O'Connor D, O’Conor D, Patton D, Piccolo MD, Ruiz C, Schücker L, Smith RA, Smith SJR, Sobrino C, Stetz M, Stewart D, Taylor P, Tucker AJ, van Stralen H, Vickers JN, Visser TAW, Walker R, Wiggins MW, Williams AM, Wong L, Aidman E, Yücel M. Building a transdisciplinary expert consensus on the cognitive drivers of performance under pressure: An international multi-panel Delphi study. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1017675. [PMID: 36755983 PMCID: PMC9901503 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1017675] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The ability to perform optimally under pressure is critical across many occupations, including the military, first responders, and competitive sport. Despite recognition that such performance depends on a range of cognitive factors, how common these factors are across performance domains remains unclear. The current study sought to integrate existing knowledge in the performance field in the form of a transdisciplinary expert consensus on the cognitive mechanisms that underlie performance under pressure. Methods International experts were recruited from four performance domains [(i) Defense; (ii) Competitive Sport; (iii) Civilian High-stakes; and (iv) Performance Neuroscience]. Experts rated constructs from the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework (and several expert-suggested constructs) across successive rounds, until all constructs reached consensus for inclusion or were eliminated. Finally, included constructs were ranked for their relative importance. Results Sixty-eight experts completed the first Delphi round, with 94% of experts retained by the end of the Delphi process. The following 10 constructs reached consensus across all four panels (in order of overall ranking): (1) Attention; (2) Cognitive Control-Performance Monitoring; (3) Arousal and Regulatory Systems-Arousal; (4) Cognitive Control-Goal Selection, Updating, Representation, and Maintenance; (5) Cognitive Control-Response Selection and Inhibition/Suppression; (6) Working memory-Flexible Updating; (7) Working memory-Active Maintenance; (8) Perception and Understanding of Self-Self-knowledge; (9) Working memory-Interference Control, and (10) Expert-suggested-Shifting. Discussion Our results identify a set of transdisciplinary neuroscience-informed constructs, validated through expert consensus. This expert consensus is critical to standardizing cognitive assessment and informing mechanism-targeted interventions in the broader field of human performance optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Albertella
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Lucy Albertella,
| | - Rebecca Kirkham
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy B. Adler
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - John Crampton
- APS College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sean P. A. Drummond
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gerard J. Fogarty
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Leonard Zaichkowsky
- Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Danny Boga
- Australian Army Psychology Corps, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jeffrey W. Bond
- APS College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tad T. Brunyé
- U.S. Army DEVCOM Analysis Center, Natick, MA, United States
| | - Mark J. Campbell
- Physical Education & Sport Sciences Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Liliana G. Ciobanu
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Scott R. Clark
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Monique F. Crane
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arne Dietrich
- Department of Psychology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tracy J. Doty
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | | | - Ivar Fahsing
- Norwegian Police University College, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephen M. Fiore
- Department of Psychology, and Institute of Simulation and Training, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Rhona Flin
- Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Joachim Funke
- Department of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Justine M. Gatt
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - P. A. Hancock
- Department of Psychology, and Institute of Simulation and Training, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Craig Harper
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Heathcote
- The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristin J. Heatown
- US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Robin C. Jackson
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Sangeet Khemlani
- United States Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Sabina Kleitman
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Darlington, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew M. Lane
- Sport, Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC), School of Sport, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Shayne Loft
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Clare MacMahon
- School of Allied Health, Human Services, and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samuele M. Marcora
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Frank P. McKenna
- Department of Psychology, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Carla Meijen
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gene M. Moyle
- Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Eugene Nalivaiko
- The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Donna O'Connor
- Sydney School of Education and Social Work, The University of Sydney, Darlington, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Debra Patton
- United States Department of Defense, Washington DC, United States
| | | | - Coleman Ruiz
- Mission Critical Team Institute, Annapolis, MD, United States
| | - Linda Schücker
- Department of Sport Psychology, Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Sarah J. R. Smith
- Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Chava Sobrino
- NSW Institute of Sport and Diving, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Melba Stetz
- Independent Practitioner, Grand Ledge, MI, United States
| | | | - Paul Taylor
- The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Tucker
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Joan N. Vickers
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Troy A. W Visser
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rohan Walker
- The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark W. Wiggins
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Leonard Wong
- United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA, United States
| | - Eugene Aidman
- The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia,Decision Sciences Division, Defense Science and Technology Group, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Bartone PT, McDonald K, Hansma BJ, Solomon J. Hardiness moderates the effects of COVID-19 stress on anxiety and depression. J Affect Disord 2022; 317:236-244. [PMID: 36028015 PMCID: PMC9398790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.045] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to sharp increases in mental health problems around the world, most notably in anxiety and depression. The present study examines hardiness and age as potential protective factors against the mental health effects of COVID-related stress. A sample of Canadians balanced across age and gender, completed an online survey including measures of COVID related stressors, hardiness, depression, and anxiety, along with age, gender, and other demographics. Conditional PROCESS analysis showed that COVID stressors led to significant increases in anxiety and depression. Hardiness moderated these relations, with those high in hardiness showing less anxiety and depression. Age was negatively related to anxiety and depression, with highest levels observed among the younger respondents. At the same time, a moderating effect of age was found with respect to depression, with older people showing sharper increases in depression as COVID-related stress goes up. Gender was not a significant factor in any of these relations, meaning that the results apply equally well to both women and men. This study provides evidence that younger people who are also low in hardiness are most vulnerable to developing anxiety and depression while under COVID stress, and so would likely benefit from preventive intervention strategies. While anxiety and depression symptoms are highest among the young, older age groups appear more vulnerable to increasing rates of depression symptoms related to COVID stress. Clinicians and practitioners should thus be especially vigilant for COVID related increases in depression among older people, and those low in psychological hardiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA,Dept. of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA,Corresponding author at: Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, 300 5th Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20319, USA
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Bartone PT, McDonald K, Hansma BJ, Stermac-Stein J, Escobar EMR, Stein SJ, Ryznar R. Development and Validation of an Improved Hardiness Measure. European Journal of Psychological Assessment 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract. Previous research shows that psychological hardiness is an important factor contributing to stress resilience in individuals. Of the various instruments available to measure hardiness, the most commonly used is the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS). Despite its demonstrated utility, the DRS-15 still has a number of serious limitations, including low subscale reliability and limited construct validity. The present work aims to create a new hardiness scale that addresses these limitations. A pool of new items plus the original DRS item set was administered to a census-matched stratified sample of N = 2,021 men and women across the United States. Items for the new scale were selected based on item distribution characteristics, item response theory plots, scale reliabilities, item-total correlations, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). CFA results showed the best fitting model reflected a hierarchical structure with three factors (commitment, control, and challenge) nested under a broad hardiness factor. This factor structure is replicated in two independent validation samples and also holds invariant across gender and age. The new scale shows much improved reliability coefficients (e.g., Cronbach’s α of .93, .85, .84, and .89 for total hardiness, challenge, control, and commitment, respectively), as well as structural equivalence across gender and age. Validity is demonstrated in multiple samples via predictive associations of hardiness scores with theoretically relevant outcome measures, including coping, life satisfaction, anxiety, and depression. The Hardiness Resilience Gauge (HRG) possesses excellent reliability and validity and appears to be a more effective tool for measuring hardiness in adult populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rebecca Ryznar
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, USA
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Abstract
Death, grief, and loss have always been a part of the military community. Historically, research on grief in the military has focused on the impact of combat operations and deployment separations on the grief experience of service members and loved ones. However, as the transient nature of military life and the dangers of military service exist outside of combat operations and military deployments, it is important to examine how grief may impact the military community in times of peace as well as war. The purpose of this commentary is to discuss the components of the military community that place its members at a higher risk of experiencing complicated grief.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chantel M Dooley
- The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Arlington, Virginia, United States
| | - Paul T Bartone
- The Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Bonnie Carroll
- The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Arlington, Virginia, United States
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Bartone PT, Bowles SV. Hardiness Predicts Post-Traumatic Growth and Well-Being in Severely Wounded Servicemen and Their Spouses. Mil Med 2021; 186:500-504. [PMID: 33241413 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thousands of military personnel have suffered severe wounds and traumatic amputations in recent overseas conflicts. They face multiple surgeries and long, painful rehabilitation. Despite the tremendous stress for these servicemen and families, many appear to cope quite well and even thrive despite their devastating wounds. Hardiness is a world view or mindset marked by high levels of commitment and engagement in the world, a strong sense of control, and the tendency to see change as a challenge and opportunity to learn and improve. Previous research has shown that military personnel high in hardiness are at lower risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms following combat exposure. This study evaluated the impact of personality hardiness on post-traumatic growth (PTG) and psychological well-being in severely wounded service members and their spouses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male volunteers were surveyed while in hospital for severe battle wounds including loss of limbs. All were married, and all spouses also agreed to participate. Participants (N = 44) completed measures of hardiness, PTG, well-being, and neuroticism, and answered a question regarding potential benefits of their experience. RESULTS Hierarchical multiple regression showed that hardiness significantly predicted both PTG and well-being, while controlling for age, education, family income, and neuroticism. Both service members and spouses indicated they experienced benefits in the following areas: strengthened family ties and connections; greater appreciation for and perspective on life; new career and educational opportunities; stronger, more resilient as a person; and formed new relationships, friends, and connections. CONCLUSION These results suggest that seriously wounded military members and their spouses who are high in hardiness are more likely to experience PTG and psychological well-being following extremely stressful experiences. Hardiness entails positive reframing of negative experiences as opportunities and challenges to overcome, and taking action to solve problems. Training programs to increase hardiness attitudes and related coping skills may thus be beneficial in facilitating healthy adaptation for severely injured patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, DC 20319, USA
| | - Stephen V Bowles
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, DC 20319, USA
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Hoopsick RA, Homish DL, Vest BM, Bartone PT, Homish GG. Resilience to Hazardous Drinking Among Never-Deployed Male United States Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:566-576. [PMID: 33503277 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Negative emotions related to never having been deployed to active duty are associated with an increased risk of hazardous drinking among United States Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers. Resiliency factors are known to buffer the effects of combat on hazardous drinking among service members who have been deployed, but it is not known whether these factors are protective for never-deployed service members, or which domains of hazardous drinking might be affected. Therefore, we examined the effects of a range of resiliency factors (i.e., marital satisfaction, psychological hardiness, intrinsic religiosity) on the relation between nondeployment emotions (NDE) and domains of hazardous drinking. METHODS We drew a subset of data from Operation: Soldiers and Families Excelling Through the Years (N = 112 never-deployed male soldiers), an ongoing study of USAR/NG soldiers. Regression models examined the main effects of NDE on each of the domains of hazardous drinking (i.e., total Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] score, consumption subscale, dependence subscale, alcohol-related problems subscale) and effect modification of each of the resiliency factors on the relations between NDE and the domains of hazardous drinking, separately. Final models controlled for years of military service, rank (enlisted vs. officer), number of military friends in the social network, and depression. RESULTS Greater NDE were associated with a higher total AUDIT score, alcohol consumption, and alcohol dependence (ps < 0.05), but not alcohol-related problems (p > 0.05). Marital satisfaction and psychological hardiness buffered the effects of NDE on total AUDIT score and alcohol dependence (p < 0.05). Intrinsic religiosity only modified the effect of NDE on total AUDIT score. None of the resiliency factors modified the effects of NDE on alcohol consumption or alcohol-related problems. CONCLUSIONS Soldiers with greater NDE had a greater risk of hazardous drinking in the presence of low resilience. Interventions to promote resiliency are an important consideration for protecting USAR/NG soldiers from hazardous drinking, regardless of their deployment history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Hoopsick
- Department of Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - D Lynn Homish
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Bonnie M Vest
- Department of Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Paul T Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Gregory G Homish
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Bartone PT, Bowles SV. Coping with recruiter stress: Hardiness, performance and well-being in US Army recruiters. Mil Psychol 2020; 32:390-397. [PMID: 38536273 PMCID: PMC10013317 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2020.1780061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Recruiting for military service can be a highly stressful job, but it is one that is essential for success in the all-volunteer force. Military recruiters face a number of job stressors, including pressure to meet monthly production quotas, long work hours and time away from family. They also work in relative isolation, with limited work social support networks. These factors make recruiters vulnerable to burnout and early attrition. The present study examines psychological hardiness and active, problem focused coping as potential stress resilience resources in US Army recruiters. In a stratified random sample of N = 817 recruiters, hardiness was found to predict supervisor-rated performance and psychological well-being. Hardiness also interacted with problem focused coping to predict psychological well-being, suggesting a mediating role for coping. These results can be applied to help improve policy for selecting and training military recruiters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Stephen V. Bowles
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, District of Columbia
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Kulak JA, Homish DL, Hoopsick RA, Fillo J, Bartone PT, Homish GG. Hardiness protects against problematic alcohol use in male, but not female, soldiers. Psychol Serv 2020; 18:426-432. [PMID: 31971440 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Military service members are at high risk for problematic substance use compared with the general population; deployment and combat exposure further increases this risk. It is thus critical to identify resiliency factors that can buffer the negative effects of military experiences and potentially prevent problematic alcohol use. The current research examines the extent to which psychological hardiness predicts lower risk of problematic alcohol use and explores potential sex differences in this association. Data are from Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing study of U.S. Army Reserve/National Guard soldiers. Negative binomial regression models examined the relation between baseline hardiness, assessed by the 15-item Dispositional Resiliency Scale, and problematic alcohol use at the 1-year follow-up, assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (N = 260), controlling for baseline combat exposure (Combat Exposure subscale, Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory-2) and baseline quantity and frequency of alcohol use. To examine the impact of hardiness on men and women, models were stratified by sex. In final, adjusted models, hardiness predicted lower risk of problematic alcohol use (adjusted risk ratio = 0.98; p < .05) for male soldiers and was unrelated to alcohol use for female soldiers (adjusted risk ratio = 1.01; p > .05). Post hoc analyses explored the impact of each dimension of hardiness (i.e., commitment, control, and challenge) on problematic alcohol use. Hardiness assessment may complement existing screening tools to identify high-risk populations; interventions to promote hardiness may help in preventing problematic alcohol use, particularly among male soldiers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Hoopsick RA, Homish DL, Bartone PT, Homish GG. Developing a Measure to Assess Emotions Associated with Never Being Deployed. Mil Med 2019; 183:e509-e517. [PMID: 29547934 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Much research has focused on stress related to deployments; however, a substantial proportion of soldiers never deploy. In a study of 1.3 million veterans, suicide risk was higher among veterans who had never deployed. Thus, not being deployed may have an impact on soldiers' well-being; however, no measures exist to assess emotions regarding non-deployment. We aimed to develop and test an original measure of non-deployment emotions. METHODS We examined the Non-Deployment Emotions (NDE) questionnaire, a novel four-item measure of guilt, unit value, unit camaraderie, and unit connectedness in a sample of never-deployed male and female US Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers (N = 174). Data are from Operation: SAFETY (Soldiers and Families Excelling Through the Years), an ongoing survey-based study examining the health of USAR/NG soldiers and their partners. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The relationship between each of the items was examined by calculating correlation and alpha coefficients. Latent class analyses tested for the existence of distinct levels of negative emotions related to non-deployment. Negative binomial regression models examined the cross-sectional associations between NDE summary score and each of the following outcomes, separately: anger, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. FINDINGS More than half of never-deployed USAR/NG soldiers expressed negative emotions for having not been deployed. "Guilt," "value," "camaraderie," and "connectedness" were each positively correlated with each other (p < 0.001) and the internal consistency reliability was high (male soldier α = 0.90, female soldier α = 0.93). Latent class analyses revealed a superior three-class model with well-delineated class membership (entropy = 0.93): "Class 1" (low NDE; 47.6%), "Class 2" (moderate NDE; 33.8%), and "Class 3" (high NDE; 18.6%). Regression models demonstrated that greater non-deployment emotions were independently associated with more severe anger (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03, p < 0.001), anxiety (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.11, p < 0.05), depression (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.11, p < 0.05), and PTSD (RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.16, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION Findings demonstrate that negative emotions regarding non-deployment are prevalent among never-deployed USAR/NG soldiers and that these emotions are related to a mental health. The NDE provides a measure of "guilt," "value," "camaraderie," and "connectedness" specific to non-deployed soldiers and is able to well discriminate between soldiers that have low, moderately, and highly negative non-deployment emotions. These findings suggest that all military personnel, regardless of deployment status, could be at risk for negative outcomes. As with any survey-based study, there is a potential for response bias; however, given the range of responses collected with the NDE, social desirability is unlikely. Further work is needed to confirm our findings in other components of the military and to examine soldiers in the rear detachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Hoopsick
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, State University of New York at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY
| | - D Lynn Homish
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, State University of New York at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY
| | - Paul T Bartone
- Center for Technology & National Security Policy, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 300 5th Avenue SW, Building 62, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
| | - Gregory G Homish
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, State University of New York at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY
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Dooley CM, Carroll B, Fry LE, Seamon-Lahiff G, Bartone PT. A Model for Supporting Grief Recovery Following Traumatic Loss: The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Mil Med 2019; 184:166-170. [PMID: 31132122 PMCID: PMC6614836 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chantel M Dooley
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, 3033 Wilson Blvd, 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA
| | - Bonnie Carroll
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, 3033 Wilson Blvd, 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA
| | - Laura E Fry
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, 3033 Wilson Blvd, 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA
| | - Grace Seamon-Lahiff
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, 3033 Wilson Blvd, 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA
| | - Paul T Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
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Abstract
This exploratory, qualitative study addresses the question: what are the important elements in effective peer support programs for bereaved survivors? Interviews with 10 highly experienced experts were analyzed to identify recurrent themes and elements. Findings indicate that effective peer support programs for the bereaved should be: easily accessible; confidential; provide a safe environment; use peer supporters with similar shared experiences to clients; select peer supporters carefully; partner with professional mental health providers; train peer supporters thoroughly; and provide care and monitoring for peer supporters. These results can help inform efforts to improve peer support programs for bereaved survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- a Institute for National Strategic Studies , National Defense University , Washington , DC , USA
| | | | - Zaneta Gileno
- c Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors , Arlington , VA , USA
| | - John M Violanti
- d School of Public Health and Health Professions , SUNY Buffalo , Buffalo , NY , USA
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Farnese ML, Barbieri B, Bellò B, Bartone PT. Don't abandon hope all ye who enter here: The protective role of formal mentoring and learning processes on burnout in correctional officers. Work 2018; 58:319-331. [PMID: 29154302 DOI: 10.3233/wor-172628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within a Job Demands-Resources Model framework, formal mentoring can be conceived as a job resource expressing the organization's support for new members, which may prevent their being at risk for burnout. OBJECTIVE This research aims at understanding the protective role of formal mentoring on burnout, through the effect of increasing learning personal resources. Specifically, we hypothesized that formal mentoring enhances newcomers' learning about job and social domains related to the new work context, thus leading to lower burnout. METHODS In order to test the hypotheses, a multiple regression analysis using the bootstrapping method was used. RESULTS Based on a questionnaire administered to 117 correctional officer newcomers who had a formal mentor assigned, our results confirm that formal mentoring exerts a positive influence on newcomers' adjustment, and that this in turn exerts a protective influence against burnout onset by reducing cynicism and interpersonal stress and also enhancing the sense of personal accomplishment. CONCLUSIONS Confirming previous literature's suggestions, supportive mentoring and effective socialization seem to represent job and personal resources that are protective against burnout. This study provides empirical support for this relation in the prison context.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Farnese
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - B Barbieri
- Department of Social Sciences and Institutions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - B Bellò
- Department of Economic and Business Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - P T Bartone
- National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Future deep space missions will expose astronauts to more intense stressors than previously encountered. Isolation will be greater and more prolonged, living and work areas more confined, and communications and resupply channels to Earth longer and less reliable. Astronauts will need to function more autonomously, with less guidance and support from Earth. Thus, it is important to select and train astronauts who can adapt and function effectively under extreme and variable conditions. In order to identify factors linked to individual adaptability, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on cognitive and behavioral adaptation to isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsychINFO databases for studies addressing individual adaptability to ICE environments. Studies were rated for quality and fidelity to long-duration space missions and key results extracted. RESULTS There were 73 studies that met all inclusion criteria. Adaptability attributes for ICE environments include intelligence, emotional stability, self-control, openness, achievement facets of conscientiousness, optimism, mastery, introversion, hardiness, task-oriented coping, past experience, low need for social support, and adequate sleep. DISCUSSION This review identifies individual factors linked to adaptability under ICE conditions. Further studies are needed to verify causal directions and determine the relative importance of these factors.Bartone PT, Krueger GP, Bartone JV. Individual differences in adaptability to isolated, confined, and extreme environments. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(6):536-546.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ådne G. Thomassen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sigurd W. Hystad
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjørn Helge Johnsen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Medical Branch, Royal Norwegian Navy, Bergen, Norway
| | - Grethe E. Johnsen
- National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Paul T. Bartone
- Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, DC
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ko
- Department of Nursing, College of Life Science and Natural Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Hye Young Kim
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju-si, South Korea
| | - Paul T. Bartone
- Center for Technology and National Security Policy (CTNSP), National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hee Sun Kang
- Department of Nursing, College of Life Science and Natural Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M. Escolas
- Clinical Division, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | | | - Paul T. Bartone
- Center for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University
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Bartone PT, Johnsen BH, Eid J, Hystad SW, Laberg JC. Hardiness, avoidance coping, and alcohol consumption in war veterans: A moderated-mediation study. Stress Health 2017; 33:498-507. [PMID: 27885790 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Military personnel often engage in excessive alcohol use after returning from deployments. Thus far, research has paid scant attention to personality factors that may increase or diminish the risk for increased alcohol consumption in this population. The present study explores how psychological hardiness, avoidance coping, and stress exposure may interact to influence alcohol consumption patterns in soldiers following deployment. U.S. Army National Guard soldiers (N = 357) were surveyed shortly after returning from combat operations in Afghanistan. Conditional process analysis was used to test for mediation and moderation effects. Mediation effects were further tested in a replication sample of Norwegian Army soldiers (N = 230) deployed to Kosovo. Findings show that hardiness is a significant (negative) predictor of increased alcohol use and that this relation is mediated by avoidance coping. Further, this effect was moderated by combat stress exposure in the U.S. sample, such that the mediation is stronger for those with greater exposure (moderated-mediation). Avoidance coping also mediated the effects of hardiness on alcohol consumption in the Norwegian sample. These findings suggest that avoidance coping and hardiness may be fruitful areas for interventions aimed at reducing risky drinking in high-stress groups like the military.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- Center for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjorn H Johnsen
- Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jarle Eid
- Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sigurd W Hystad
- Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon C Laberg
- Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Abstract
This systematic literature review assesses the evidence regarding benefits of peer support services for bereaved survivors of sudden or unexpected death. Reports were included that addressed peer support services for adults who experienced death of a family member, close friend, or coworker. Of the 32 studies meeting all inclusion criteria, most showed evidence that peer support was helpful to bereaved survivors, reducing grief symptoms and increasing well-being and personal growth. Studies also showed benefits to providers of peer support, including increased personal growth and positive meaning in life. Several studies addressed the growing trend of Internet-based peer support programs, finding that these are beneficial in part due to their easy accessibility. Peer support appears to be especially valuable for survivors of suicide loss, a result that may be related to stigma and lack of support from family and friends experienced by many suicide survivors. The reviewed studies provide consistent evidence that peer support is beneficial to bereaved survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- 1 Center for Technology & National Security Policy, National Defense University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Zaneta M Gileno
- 4 Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Arlington, VA, USA
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Abstract
Many, but not all people experience diminished health, performance and well-being as a function of exposure to stress. However, the underlying neurophysiological processes which characterize hardy or resilient people are not well understood. This study examines psychological hardiness and several indicators of cardiovascular health, including body mass index (BMI) and blood cholesterol markers in a sample of 338 middle-aged adults enrolled in a national security education program. Hierarchical regression analyses reveal that after controlling for the influence of age and sex, high hardiness is related to higher HDL - high density lipoprotein and less body fat (BMI). Lower hardiness is associated with greater total cholesterol to HDL ratio, a cardiovascular disease risk factor. These results suggest that psychological hardiness confers resilience in part through an influence on cholesterol production and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- a Center for Technology & National Security Policy , National Defense University , Fort Lesley J. McNair, 300 5th Ave., SW, Washington , DC 20319 , USA.,b Department of Psychosocial Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - James J Valdes
- a Center for Technology & National Security Policy , National Defense University , Fort Lesley J. McNair, 300 5th Ave., SW, Washington , DC 20319 , USA
| | - Asle Sandvik
- c Norwegian Police University College , Stavern , Norway.,d Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry , Haukeland University Hospital , Bergen , Norway
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Smith KZ, Smith PH, Violanti JM, Bartone PT, Homish GG. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters and Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings From a U.S. Nationally Representative Sample. J Trauma Stress 2015; 28:469-74. [PMID: 26467329 PMCID: PMC4720964 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) have not been extensively studied in nonveteran samples. Secondary analysis was conducted using a nationally representative U.S. sample and limited to those who reported being in a relationship in the past year (N = 25,652). This sample was mostly White (72.0%), the majority had completed high school/ general educational development (GED; 87.8%), about half were female (49.2%), and the mean age was 46.44 years (SD = 15.92). We hypothesized that a diagnosis of PTSD in the past year would be associated with greater perpetration of IPV and that the arousal/reactivity and intrusion symptom clusters would evidence the strongest associations with IPV. Consistent with expectations, a PTSD diagnosis in the past year was associated with greater perpetration of IPV, OR = 2.07, 95% CI [1.89, 2.26]. Among those with a PTSD diagnosis in the past year (n = 1,742), arousal/reactivity symptom cluster scores were associated with greater perpetration of IPV for both men and women, AOR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.11, 1.44]; intrusion symptom cluster scores were associated with perpetration of IPV for men only, AOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.20, 2.04]; whereas negative cognitions/mood symptom cluster scores were only significant among women, AOR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.01, 1.24]. Results suggested that theoretical and empirical work linking PTSD and perpetration of IPV in military samples extends to the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Z. Smith
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Philip H. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - John M. Violanti
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY
| | - Paul T. Bartone
- Center for Technology & National Security Policy, National Defense University, Washington, DC
| | - Gregory G. Homish
- Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY
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Hystad SW, Bartone PT, Eid J. Positive organizational behavior and safety in the offshore oil industry: Exploring the determinants of positive safety climate. J Posit Psychol 2014; 9:42-53. [PMID: 24454524 PMCID: PMC3877958 DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2013.831467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Much research has now documented the substantial influence of safety climate on a range of important outcomes in safety critical organizations, but there has been scant attention to the question of what factors might be responsible for positive or negative safety climate. The present paper draws from positive organizational behavior theory to test workplace and individual factors that may affect safety climate. Specifically, we explore the potential influence of authentic leadership style and psychological capital on safety climate and risk outcomes. Across two samples of offshore oil-workers and seafarers working on oil platform supply ships, structural equation modeling yielded results that support a model in which authentic leadership exerts a direct effect on safety climate, as well as an indirect effect via psychological capital. This study shows the importance of leadership qualities as well as psychological factors in shaping a positive work safety climate and lowering the risk of accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigurd W. Hystad
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies gate 12, PO Box 7807, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Paul T. Bartone
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies gate 12, PO Box 7807, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Center for Technology & National Security Policy, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC 2013-5066, USA
| | - Jarle Eid
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies gate 12, PO Box 7807, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Center for Technology and National Security Policy; National Defense University; Washington, DC; USA
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Abstract
Psychological hardiness characterizes people who remain healthy under psychosocial stress. The present exploratory study investigates possible links between hardiness and several immune and neuroendocrine markers: IL-6, IL-12, IL-4, IL-10, & neuropeptide-Y. A total of 21 Norwegian navy cadets were studied in the context of a highly stressful military field exercise. Blood samples were collected midway, and again late in the exercise when stress levels were highest. Psychological hardiness (including commitment, control, and challenge) was measured two days before the exercise. While all subjects scored high in hardiness, some were high only in commitment and control, but relatively low in challenge. These "unbalanced" hardiness subjects were also more stress reactive, showing suppressed proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12), increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10), and lower neuropeptide-Y levels as compared to the hardiness-balanced group. This study thus shows that being high in hardiness with a balanced profile is linked to more moderate and healthy immune and neuroendocrine responses to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asle M Sandvik
- a Department of Psychosocial Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
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Bartone PT. A new taxonomy for understanding factors leading to suicide in the military. Int J Emerg Ment Health 2013; 15:299-305. [PMID: 24707592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the years since 2005, suicides among U.S. military personnel have risen dramatically, and continue to rise despite significant leadership attention to suicide awareness and prevention. Prevention efforts have proven unsuccessful, perhaps because they have focused on associated factors, rather than the underlying more fundamental contributing ones. Current suicide prevention and education programs in the military address the symptoms, while ignoring the underlying problem. This paper presents a new taxonomy for organizing and thinking about the multitude of factors associated with suicide in the military. We distinguish four sets of factors associated with suicide: (1) Formative factors are the long-term, fundamental causative factors in suicide, contributing to alienation and powerlessness; (2) Background factors are associated with suicide, but are not clearly causative, as for example age and sex; (3) Precipitating factors are the near-term causative factors, acute stressful events that can plunge the individual into sudden despair, such as a broken marriage; (4) Enabling factors are those that facilitate the act of suicide, but are not underlying causes. This includes for example alcohol and drugs, and easy access to weapons. To succeed, efforts to prevent suicide in the military should be directed to the formative factors. A model is presented in which military-specific formative factors are shown to contribute to alienation and powerlessness, key factors that can lead to suicide. Drawing from the hardiness model of resilience, some recommendations are provided for building up the sense of commitment (vs. alienation) and control (vs. powerlessness) in military personnel as a strategy for reducing suicide.
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Picardi A, Bartone PT, Querci R, Bitetti D, Tarsitani L, Roselli V, Maraone A, Fabi E, De Michele F, Gaviano I, Flynn B, Ursano R, Biondi M. Development and validation of the Italian version of the 15-item dispositional resilience scale. Riv Psichiatr 2012; 47:231-7. [PMID: 22825439 DOI: 10.1708/1128.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that psychological hardiness is an important stress resilience resource for individuals. The 15-items Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15) is a short, reliable and valid self-report instrument to measure hardiness that is not available in Italian. The present study was undertaken to create an Italian version of the DRS-15, and evaluate its psychometric properties and validity in the Italian context. An Italian version was produced using multiple independent bilingual translators. This version was administered to a non-clinical sample of adults (N=150), along with measure o psychological well-being (PWB-18) and health. A sub-sample (N = 66) completed the DRS-15 again one month later. Results showed good reliability in terms of internal consistency and test-retest stability. With regard to the subscale, stability was high for all three subscales, whereas two subscales (Commitment and Control) showed marginal internal consistency. DRS-15 total and subscales scores showed a theoretically meaningful pattern of correlations with PWB-18 subscales, supporting the validity of the Italian DRS. Also, multiple regression analysis revealed a correlation between DRS-15 scores and self-rated general health, even after controlling for age and sex. The new Italian DRS-15 provides a valid, reliable and easy to use tool fr assessing stress resilience in clinical and research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Picardi
- Mental Health Unit, Center of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome.
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Abstract
Alcohol abuse is a growing problem in the military, and a costly one. The present study evaluates the potential role of psychological hardiness, an individual resilience resource, to stress-related problem drinking in a military population. We assess the association of psychological hardiness and avoidance coping style with alcohol use patterns in a large national sample of Norwegian military defense personnel. Results show that low hardiness and high avoidance coping are significant predictors of alcohol abuse. Also, the challenge facet of hardiness predicts risk of alcohol abuse among respondents with recent deployment experience, and this effect is greater for those with harsh deployment experiences. Older defense workers are also at higher risk, suggesting cumulative occupational stress may take a toll. This research indicates that hardiness and avoidance coping measures may serve as useful adjunct screening tools for alcohol abuse in the military.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- Center for Technology & National Security Policy, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, 300 5th Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20319, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigurd W. Hystad
- a Department of Psychosocial Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - Jarle Eid
- a Department of Psychosocial Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - Jon C. Laberg
- a Department of Psychosocial Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - Paul T. Bartone
- b Center for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University , Washington , District of Columbia
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Larsson G, Bartone PT, Bos-Bakx M, Danielsson E, Jelusic L, Johansson E, Moelker R, Sjöberg M, Vrbanjac A, Bartone J, Forsythe GB, Pruefert A, Wachowicz M. Leader Development in Natural Context: A Grounded Theory Approach to Discovering How Military Leaders Grow. Military Psychology 2009. [DOI: 10.1207/s15327876mp1803s_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerry Larsson
- Department of Leadership and Management, Swedish National Defence College, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Paul T. Bartone
- Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University
| | | | - Erna Danielsson
- Department of Leadership and Management, Swedish National Defence College, Karlstad, Sweden
| | | | - Eva Johansson
- Department of Leadership and Management, Swedish National Defence College, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Rene Moelker
- Royal Netherlands Military Academy, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Misa Sjöberg
- Department of Leadership and Management, Swedish National Defence College, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Aida Vrbanjac
- Department of Leadership and Management, Swedish National Defence College, Karlstad, Sweden
| | | | | | - Andreas Pruefert
- EUROMIL—European Organization of Military Associations, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mariusz Wachowicz
- Military Bureau for Sociological Research, Polish Defense Ministry, Warsaw, Poland
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Military Academy
| | - Scott A. Snook
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Military Academy
| | - Trueman R. Tremble
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Alexandria, Virginia
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Leader Development Research Center, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Military Academy
| | - Bjørn Helge Johnsen
- Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jarle Eid
- Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Wibecke Brun
- Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon C. Laberg
- Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy B. Adler
- U.S. Army Medical Research Unit–Europe, Heidelberg, Germany
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38
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Bartone
- Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University
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Johnsen BH, Eid J, Pallesen S, Bartone PT, Nissestad OA. Predicting Transformational Leadership in Naval Cadets: Effects of Personality Hardiness and Training. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2009.00522.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Bartone PT, Eid J, Helge Johnsen B, Christian Laberg J, Snook SA. Big five personality factors, hardiness, and social judgment as predictors of leader performance. Leadership & Org Development J 2009. [DOI: 10.1108/01437730910981908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Eid J, Larsson G, Johnsen BH, Laberg JC, Bartone PT, Carlstedt B. Psychometric properties of the Norwegian Impact of Event Scale-revised in a non-clinical sample. Nord J Psychiatry 2009; 63:426-32. [PMID: 19688636 DOI: 10.1080/08039480903118190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the widespread use of the Impact of Event Scale to measure post-traumatic stress symptoms, psychometric evaluations of the scale have revealed mixed findings. AIM The aim of the present study is to provide new empirical evidence and examine the factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity of the Norwegian version of the IES-R. METHODS Posttraumatic stress symptoms were recorded in a student sample (n=312) 3 weeks after the Southeast Asian tsunami disaster in December 2004. Confirmatory factor analyses of the IES-R behavior items using structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed on four models from existing research. RESULTS The original three-factor model of intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms exhibited the best goodness-of-fit indices when defined as oblique. The IES-R also revealed satisfactory reliability. Symptom levels of intrusion and avoidance were moderate, while hyperarousal scores were low, with a significant gender difference. CONCLUSION Taken together, the IES-R revealed good psychometric properties in this nonclinical student sample and could be a useful instrument to assess and follow-up on PTSD symptoms after a certain identified trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarle Eid
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Norway.
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Bartone PT, Roland RR, Picano JJ, Williams TJ. Psychological Hardiness Predicts Success in US Army Special Forces Candidates. Int J Selection & Assessment 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2389.2008.00412.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
Test-retest correlations provide the most appropriate estimate of reliability when short scales are used to measure complex constructs. A brief, 15-item hardiness scale was developed from a longer version known as the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS), which first appeared in 1989. This short hardiness scale (DRS-15) has the advantages of brevity, good internal consistency, and validity (Barone, 1995, - 1999); however, test-retest reliability has not yet been estimated. The present study addresses this issue, using a sample of 104 military academy cadets. The 3-wk. test-retest reliability coefficient was .78.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Bartone
- Center for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, DC 20319, USA.
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Bartone PT, Snook SA, Forsythe GB, Lewis P, Bullis RC. Psychosocial development and leader performance of military officer cadets. The Leadership Quarterly 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Britt TW, Adler AB, Bartone PT. Deriving benefits from stressful events: the role of engagement in meaningful work and hardiness. J Occup Health Psychol 2001. [PMID: 11199257 DOI: 10.1037//1076-8998.6.1.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This research explored the relationship between the meaningfulness of work, personality hardiness, and deriving long-term benefits from a stressful event. U.S. soldiers participating in a peacekeeping mission to Bosnia completed measures assessing the meaning of their work and personality hardiness midway through a 1-year deployment (mid-deployment) and completed a measure of deriving benefits from the deployment 4-5 months after it was over (postdeployment). Structural equation modeling revealed that personality hardiness was associated with being engaged in meaningful work during the deployment, which was strongly associated with deriving benefits from the deployment months after it was over. Enriching experiences were also associated with deriving benefits from the deployment. Discussion focuses on the linkages between personality processes, meaningful work, and deriving benefits from a stressful experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Britt
- U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe.
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Abstract
This research explored the relationship between the meaningfulness of work, personality hardiness, and deriving long-term benefits from a stressful event. U.S. soldiers participating in a peacekeeping mission to Bosnia completed measures assessing the meaning of their work and personality hardiness midway through a 1-year deployment (mid-deployment) and completed a measure of deriving benefits from the deployment 4-5 months after it was over (postdeployment). Structural equation modeling revealed that personality hardiness was associated with being engaged in meaningful work during the deployment, which was strongly associated with deriving benefits from the deployment months after it was over. Enriching experiences were also associated with deriving benefits from the deployment. Discussion focuses on the linkages between personality processes, meaningful work, and deriving benefits from a stressful experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Britt
- U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy B. Adler
- U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Heidelberg, Germany and European Division, University of Maryland
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Adler AB, Bartone PT. International survey of military mental health professionals. Mil Med 1999; 164:788-92. [PMID: 10578590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reports on data from a survey of international military mental health professionals. In a series of open-ended questions, respondents were asked to describe their country in terms of the field of military psychology, the role of mental health professionals on deployment, the degree to which the field of mental health is accepted in the military, and their contact with their international counterparts. The survey was mailed to 44 different countries from July 1995 through July 1996. The data are based on 30 individual responses from 23 different countries. Cultural differences included the role of psychologists in the military and on deployment, the degree of professional isolation, and specific services provided by psychologists. Cultural similarities included the ambivalent response to the mental health field by military leaders, the use of psychology as a prevention tool, and the degree of interest in international contact and exchange. The discussion focuses on three obstacles to the acceptance of the mental health field and possible avenues for greater exchange of information among military professionals working in psychology-related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Adler
- U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Heidelberg, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy B. Adler
- U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Heidelberg, Germany
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