Military Psychology最新文献

Fluid teams are teams whose members are drawn from various technical domains or organizational divisions and assembled to undertake a critical, time-limited task. Members of these teams are rapidly assembled, have no prior familiarity or experience working together, must begin work immediately to accomplish the task, and then cease to exist following completion. In this article, we elaborate and clarify the construct of fluid teams, examine the challenges of the fluid team context for military team performance, and propose approaches for supporting fluid team performance.

Suicide rates in military-affiliated communities remain elevated since the dawn of the Global War on Terror, despite substantial efforts by clinicians and researchers. While some risk factors have been identified, mixed results need to be clarified. The current study builds on previous research by testing a structural equation model of suicide risk associated with combat experiences that by incorporates risk factors with the most empirical support (combat experiences, guilt, PTSD, depression, and the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide [IPTS] factors of Perceived Burdensomeness, Thwarted Belongingness, Acquired Capability), using improved measures, in a more representative sample of Post-9/11 deployers. The models were evaluated separately for each of two different conceptualizations of guilt (trauma-related and interpersonal) as moderating factors. The results show that higher levels of guilt, whether trauma-related or interpersonal, strengthened the relationship between combat experiences and pathology. In contrast to previous studies, intensity of combat experiences was indirectly linked to suicidality through pathology and the IPTS constructs of Perceived Burdensomeness and Acquired Capability. The most prominent pathway to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in both guilt models traveled from combat experiences through PTSD and Perceived Burdensomeness, providing a clear target for clinical and organizational interventions.

Prior research has established the psychometric properties of the Critical Warzone Experiences (CWE) scale among post-9/11 Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans; however, the psychometric properties of the CWE among Gulf War I-era veterans have not yet been established. The first objective of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the CWE among Gulf War I-era veterans. The second objective was to test the hypothesis that the CWE would have a significant indirect effect on suicidal thoughts and behaviors via posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms. To test these hypotheses, a survey packet that included the CWE and measures of PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors was administered to 1,153 Gulf War I-era veterans. Consistent with prior research in post-9/11 Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans, the CWE exhibited good internal consistency (α = .85), a unidimensional factor structure (RMSEA = .056, CFI = .959, SRMR = .033; average factor loading = .69), and good concurrent validity with PTSD (r = .47, p < .001) and depressive (r = .31, p < .001) symptoms among Gulf War I-era veterans. Additionally, as hypothesized, a significant indirect effect from the CWE to suicidal thoughts and behaviors via PTSD and depressive symptoms (β = .35, p < .001) was also observed. Taken together, our findings provide strong support for using the CWE with Gulf War I-era veterans.

Effective mental health and stress resilience (MHSR) training is essential in military populations given their exposure to operational stressors. The scarcity of empirical evidence supporting the benefits of these programs emphasizes the need for research dedicated to program optimization. This paper aims to identify the relative importance of MHSR training attributes preferred by military members. Conjoint analysis (CA), an experimental method used to prioritize end-user preferences for product feature development, was conducted using an online survey with 567 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel. Participants made a series of choices between hypothetical MHSR training options that were systematically varied across seven training attributes. Each training attribute consisted of 3-4 variations in the nature of the attribute or its intensity. Participants also completed questions on health beliefs, mental health and previous MHSR training experiences, and demographics, to assess whether preferences varied by individual characteristics. CA demonstrated that instructor type, leadership buy-in, degree of skills practice, and content relevance/applicability were attributes of highest and relatively equal importance. This was followed by degree of accessible supplemental content. Lowest importance was placed on degree of behavioral nudging and demographic similarity between the trainee and trainer. Sociodemographic factors were not associated with MHSR training preferences. Programs that incorporate expert-led instruction, demonstrate leadership buy-in, embed practical applications within simulated stress environments, and provide a digitally-accessible platform to augment training may be well-received among military members. Understanding and accommodating personal preferences when designing MHSR training programs may increase relevance, foster acceptance and trust, and support sustained engagement.

Mental health officers (MHO) in the military often encounter soldiers expressing distress, manifested in threats and attempts at self-harm and suicide. While these behaviors are a significant stressor for therapists, they may also be an opportunity for posttraumatic growth (PTG). We aimed to examine whether the relatively frequent exposure of MHO to soldiers who report thoughts, intentions, and attempts at self-harm and suicide is related to their PTG, as well as tested the contribution of cognitive variables (the centrality of the event and the challenge to core beliefs), and a trait not previously considered in this context, i.e. self-compassion to PTG. Self-report questionnaires were completed by130 Israeli army MHO. Of these, 98.5% reported that they are exposed to self-harm. The questionnaires were collected between the years 2020-2021. The findings show a positive linear relationship, as well as a curvilinear relationship, between PTG and exposure to expressions of self-harm and suicide, the centrality of the event, and the challenge to core beliefs. In addition, self-compassion served as a moderator in the association between exposure and PTG. The study validates the PTG model in a population that has not previously been studied in this context, and may lead to a broader understanding of PTG in this context. They may help in designing dedicated training programs for therapists dealing with reports of self-harm and suicidal behavior.

The objective is to examine the predictors of attrition in male and female candidates undergoing a 10-week early career military training program. 1006 candidates (79.5% male, 24.7 ± 3.2 years) consented to participating in a larger study examining predictors of injury during US Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS). Participants completed a blood draw, demographic and psychological characteristics questionnaires, and two fitness tests. Participants were then grouped based on successful completion of OCS or not. Associations between potential predictors and attrition were analyzed using simple logistic regression analyses, followed by a backward stepwise elimination method. Area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the accuracy of the attrition prediction model. 260 candidates (25.8%) attritted over the 10-week training, with the highest number of discharges during week 5. Musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) was the most common cause of attrition (30%), followed by non-MSKI medical (21.5%), and volitional withdrawals (19.6%). Sex, body mass index (BMI), resilience, initial physical fitness test score, combat fitness test (CFT) score, and prior military service were all significantly associated with attrition from OCS (all p < .05). The final prediction model of attrition included CFT score (p = .027) and resilience (p = .018). Multiple demographic, psychological, and fitness characteristics are associated with attrition from an early career military training course (OCS) and may be utilized as part of early screening procedures to identify and provide guidance for individuals at risk for not completing OCS.

Background: Military conscription is a legal obligation in many countries. Different psychiatric disorders may result in exemptions from compulsory military service. The study aimed to compare psychiatric diagnoses, and demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals exempted from conscription between the call-up and military service groups. Methods: The study analyzed exemption reports based on psychiatric evaluations conducted between 2016 and 2020 at a regional military hospital in Türkiye. Exemptions from conscription at the call-up stage and during military service were compared regarding sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, and psychiatric diagnoses. Results: The study included 1225 exemption reports. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were intellectual disability and adjustment disorder. The exemption at the call-up group showed higher rates of psychiatric disability reports, intellectual disability, antisocial personality disorder, and depressive disorders. In contrast, the exemption during military service group had a higher history of substance use and prevalence of adjustment disorder. At the call-up, intellectual disability, antisocial personality disorder, and psychiatric medication predicted exemption. Adjustment disorder was the predictive factor for exemption during military service Conclusion: The study delineated crucial clinical and psychiatric distinctions among those exempted from conscription during call-up versus military service. Awareness of exemptions during military service can significantly contribute to improving the roll call examination during the call-up. The findings emphasize the need for targeted assessments and strategies for managing psychiatric disorders in the military context.

The United States military services are modernizing their training and education curricula by leveraging advances in technology to deliver instruction that is more engaging and responsive to trainees' needs and better prepares them for the future fight. Adaptive training (AT), or training tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of individual trainees, is a promising technique to meet these modernization goals. The research literature, however, is sporadic and does not clearly prescribe best practices for its employment. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the effectiveness of various AT instructional interventions (i.e. adapting difficulty, feedback, scaffolding, etc.) on learning outcomes. There were 30 peer-reviewed publications included in the analysis. We grouped studies by the adaptive intervention examined and reported the associated effects on learning outcomes. Overall, the results revealed that the effectiveness of AT varied considerably across the instructional interventions. Specifically, studies that implemented adaptive difficulty techniques were the most effective, followed by adaptive scaffolding and remediation/test-out techniques. Based on these findings, we identify design recommendations for future AT systems.

Studies on the relationships and interactions within human-dog teams in the French Army are scarce. In order to better understand this subject, a qualitative exploratory study was undertaken by conducting semi-structured interviews with dog handlers (n = 16). The interviewees work in the French Army. They are specialized in the detection and neutralization of individuals or explosives. Thematic analysis identified different themes: trust within the team, doubts, interspecific cohesion, and care provided to the dogs. The results highlight the importance of trust within the canine team. It is conceived as a dynamic, constructed process, based on experience, and involving both members of the team. It emerges that trust arises from individual, relational, technical, and experiential factors: the bonds formed, knowledge of one's dog, difficulties related to technical aspects, the reliability of the dog following training, and mission successes. Kindness, support, and mutual protection are also important criteria. A form of interspecific cohesion is envisaged by experienced handlers when affection, knowledge, reliability, mutual assistance, and support are present.