Dan M Wood, Douglas A Foote, Theresa V Osborne, Carmen L Vejar-Preece, Allison L Ferro
{"title":"A systematic review of the impact of adverse childhood experiences on U.S. Service Members and military readiness.","authors":"Dan M Wood, Douglas A Foote, Theresa V Osborne, Carmen L Vejar-Preece, Allison L Ferro","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2681306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2681306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are well-documented risk factors for poor social, behavioral, and physical health outcomes, yet their impact on U.S. Service Members has not been comprehensively reviewed. This systematic review, registered with PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, examined the health outcomes associated with ACE exposure in military populations. A search across eight databases identified 707 articles; 21 peer-reviewed studies met inclusion criteria after screening. Most studies focused on Army personnel, with smaller representations of Marines, Air Force, and mixed-Service groups; no studies specifically examined Navy or Coast Guard personnel. Findings indicate that Service Members report higher ACE exposure than civilians, with consistent associations to adverse behavioral and health outcomes that threaten individual well-being and mission readiness. Despite increasing recognition of ACE-related challenges, gaps persist in military-specific policy, education, and intervention strategies. Efforts to standardize ACE screening protocols across national and international military collaborations could further strengthen prevention and intervention approaches. Additionally, expanding research into cross-cultural military contexts would provide valuable insight into how ACEs manifest differently across diverse environments. These results underscore the urgent need for ACE-informed policies and practices in recruitment, training, and ongoing support to mitigate the long-term effects of ACEs and sustain the resilience and readiness of the force.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The modernized Air Force Mental Health Readiness Program: A model for mental health in large-scale combat operations.","authors":"Mark A Dixon, Ryan R Landoll, Elisha P Pippin","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2664975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2664975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anticipated large-scale combat operations (LSCO) against near-peer adversaries may necessitate changes in the Department of the Air Force's current approach to mental health provision in deployed environments. Contested airspace and prolonged field care scenarios may limit access to traditional mental health resources, demanding a modernized Mental Health Readiness Program. This article proposes a conceptual framework for such a program which addresses the unique mental health service delivery challenges of LSCO. The framework encompasses a multi-layered system of support spanning all phases of contingency operations with interventions tailored to varying levels of specialized delivery due to exposure and need. It emphasizes proactive unit resilience building, peer support, and a new model called Mental Health Self Aid and Buddy Care (MH-SABC) to equip Airmen and Guardians with the skills to support themselves and others in austere and high-stress environments. This article reviews the existing literature on the essential components of a modernized Mental Health Readiness Program, to include established interventions, such as Psychological First Aid, Combat and Operational Stress Control, and iCOVER. This paper highlights gaps in existing mental health interventions and offers a solution to those gaps to help Airmen and Guardians in an LSCO environment. Although developed for the Department of the Air Force, a modernized Mental Health Readiness Program provides a potential framework for use by other organizations.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alison Krauss, Nicholas R Lindner, Michael S McCloskey, Mark Ilgen, Suzannah K Creech, Marianne Goodman
{"title":"Characterizing aggression and suicide attempts among high-risk U.S. Veterans: Demographic, clinical, and military characteristics.","authors":"Alison Krauss, Nicholas R Lindner, Michael S McCloskey, Mark Ilgen, Suzannah K Creech, Marianne Goodman","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2679872","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2679872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Suicide prevention is a top priority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and improving the effectiveness of prevention efforts requires more precise identification of those at risk for suicide. Recent research identifies aggression as a risk factor for veteran suicide, yet little is known about moderators of the aggression-suicide association. This study examines demographic, clinical, and military characteristics as potential moderators of the association between aggression and suicide in a sample of veterans at high risk for suicide. This cross-sectional study used baseline data from a randomized clinical trial across four VA sites. Participants (<i>n</i> = 207veterans; 82.13% men) completed a clinical interview of suicide attempts and clinical characteristics and self-report measures of aggression, demographics, and military characteristics. We fit zero-inflated negative binomial models with interaction terms between aggression and each characteristic to test for moderators of the aggression-suicide association. None of the veteran characteristics had a significant main effect on number of suicide attempts. Across all four aggression subscales, gender and deployment history moderated the aggression-suicide association such that veteran women and those without a history of deployment had stronger positive associations between aggression and suicide. The present study adds nuance to our understanding of the relationship between aggression and suicide in veterans. Findings suggest that intervention efforts for high-risk veterans should focus on the role of aggression for veteran women and those without a history of deployment. Further research is warranted to validate findings and develop more precise suicide prevention efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Feeding morale: Institutional and social dimensions of food for motivation in military training.","authors":"Stefano De Rosa","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2675081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2675081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the influence of food on motivation during an 18-week basic military training program. Conceptually, food is considered an extrinsic motivational factor. The analysis is framed by social exchange theory and the concept of psychological contract. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design - combining 34 qualitative interviews with survey data from over 4,200 recruits - the study identifies both institutional and socio-cultural dimensions linking food to short- and long-term motivation. Institutionally, aspects such as food quantity, mealtime structure, and the visible effort of kitchen staff shape recruits' perceptions of fairness and care. Socio-culturally, food is perceived as a reward for effort, a sign of appreciation, and a medium for reinforcing group cohesion through shared meals. The findings demonstrate that food in military settings extends beyond its nutritional function; it is a critical instrument of recognition, structure, and social bonding. The study concludes by providing actionable insights into military leadership and policy development.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148032608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How and why Rapport Outperforms Persuasion in Military Interrogations.","authors":"Tove Phillipsen, Daniel Malmgren, Mats Dahl, Laurence Alison, Emily Alison, Tobbe Petterson","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2675082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2675082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study examined how rapport behaviors, operationalized through the HEAAR principles (Honesty, Empathy, Adaptation, Autonomy, Reflection), and persuasion techniques (alpha and omega) predict information disclosure during high-fidelity military interrogation training. Seventy-six hours of recorded interrogations (25 prisoners, 6 trainee interrogators) from a high-fidelity military exercise in Sweden were segmented, coded, and analyzed using Bayesian cumulative-probit regression with random intercepts for interrogator, detainee, and segment. Information yield was coded using ORBIT's ordinal yield scale and restricted to novel disclosures that could be verified against the exercise scenario (ground truth). Rapport quality and style were strong, credible predictors of higher information yield, whereas individual persuasion techniques showed weak or inconsistent associations and, in some cases, were negatively associated with disclosure. Exploratory random-slope analyses suggested substantial variability in detainee responsiveness, underscoring the interactional nature of information elicitation. The results indicate that rapport-based behaviors are more consistently effective in eliciting information than persuasion techniques, suggesting that interviewer effectiveness hinges more on the overall quality of the interpersonal interaction than on the deployment of specific persuasion techniques.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148016301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emily G Lowery-Gionta, Liana M Matson, Samuel A McLean, Amy B Adler
{"title":"Defining Acute Stress Reactions to support large scale combat operations.","authors":"Emily G Lowery-Gionta, Liana M Matson, Samuel A McLean, Amy B Adler","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2664947","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2664947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The United States military anticipates that future warfare will involve large scale combat operations (LSCO). The expected nature of LSCO will likely increase the occurrence and severity of Acute Stress Reactions (ASRs), responses to extreme stressors characterized by cognitive, emotional, somatic/physical, and behavioral symptoms. Conceptualizations of ASR vary, with ASRs defined as a disorder in the 10<sup>th</sup> version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and considered a non-diagnosable stress reaction by the US military. The diversity in the conceptualizations of ASR has made studying and developing solutions for ASR difficult. Incorporating previous conceptualizations and emerging research, a definition of ASR is proposed that identifies ASR symptom domains, clarifies the timeline in which ASR may occur, and specifies impact of ASR on functioning and neurocognition. To our knowledge, this manuscript is the first to (1) systematically review the current definitions of ASR, (2) specifically discuss ASR in a LSCO context, and (3) present a comprehensive definition of ASR.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13653637/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147874895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Motivation in physically demanding military roles: A qualitative study using self-determination theory.","authors":"Annika Öhrner Lindén, Marcus Börjesson","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2671587","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2671587","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examines how motivational processes are shaped through the interaction between long-term goal orientation and feedback in physically demanding and hierarchical military environments. The study draws on semi-structured interviews with fifteen women who have held physically demanding positions in the Swedish Armed Forces. The material was analyzed using an abductive thematic approach informed by SDT. The findings indicate that motivation emerges as a dynamic and relational process rather than a stable individual state. While long-term goal orientation provides direction and continuity, the relational quality of feedback plays a central role in shaping how motivation develops over time. Feedback is interpreted in relation to the perceived legitimacy of the sender, as well as tone, timing, and intent. To capture this process, the study develops the concept of responsive reciprocity, describing the relational mechanism through which feedback influences motivation in sender - recipient interactions. How feedback affects motivation is closely linked to perceptions of the sender's competence, respect, and trustworthiness. When reciprocity is present, feedback can be accepted, translated into effort, and support continued motivation. When it is absent, feedback risks undermining need satisfaction and making motivation more fragile. The study contributes to research on military motivation by showing how SDT's needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are enacted in everyday practice within hierarchical performance environments and by highlighting implications for leadership and feedback practices in physically demanding contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147874868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Carmona, Maria José Chambel, Vânia Sofia Carvalho, Carlos Casquinha
{"title":"Resource management and post-traumatic stress disorder in peacekeepers: A qualitative exploratory study.","authors":"Laura Carmona, Maria José Chambel, Vânia Sofia Carvalho, Carlos Casquinha","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2667552","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2667552","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The high variability in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence among peacekeepers facing similar trauma underscores that factors beyond exposure determine outcomes. Based on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this qualitative study identified the primary risk and protective factors shared by peacekeepers and, as a secondary objective, conducted a preliminary, hypothesis-generating comparison between those with and without probable PTSD. Semi-structured interviews with 32 Portuguese peacekeepers from various missions were transcribed and thematically analyzed using NVivo. The PCL-5 was administered post-interview to categorize participants for a subsequent exploratory analysis. A primary finding was the unanimous consensus within this sample across different missions and both groups on all major thematic domains of risk and protective factors. Building on this consensus, an exploratory, hypotheses-generating analysis suggested a potential nuance: while both groups value the same resources, their narratives hinted at potential differences in resource management strategies, with the group without probable PTSD more frequently describing proactive approaches. The study empirically establishes a shared understanding of the \"resource caravan\" among peacekeepers. The findings suggest that vulnerability to PTSD may stem not from ignorance of resources, but potentially from failures in their dynamic management. Collectively, these results offer a validated framework for support strategies and valuable hypotheses for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147839959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mental health support for Naval Surface Forces in LSCO.","authors":"Robert D Lippy, Martin J Bayer","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2664981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2664981","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>U.S. Navy ships have not engaged in heavy combat operations since World War II. Although naval warfare and navy ships have advanced technologically since that time, the fundamental violence of combat and resultant human factors of war have not. This article discusses how the Navy is not fully prepared for the expected large number of combat stress casualties likely to occur in any maritime large-scale combat operations (LSCO) such as the threat by China to invade Taiwan by 2027. U.S. Naval Surface Forces began assigning mental health providers to support Navy surface combatant ships in 2019. These mental health professionals provide psychological support to shipboard Sailors but do not deploy with these ships. Rather, Navy surface combatant ships are supported by a single Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) paraprofessional with limited training in mental health. Therefore, in any LSCO scenario, the acute psychological needs of these shipboard Sailors will be provided by these medical assets. The article discusses how U.S. Naval Surface Forces is preparing shipboard Sailors for combat stress reactions as well as training organic shipboard resources (i.e. IDCs, chaplains) in applying psychological first aid and legacy combat psychiatry principles (i.e. PIES - Proximity to the frontline, Immediacy of treatment, Expectancy of recovery, Simple interventions). The article concludes with a discussion of future directions for closing the current gaps in training needed to enhance psychological support to Naval Surface Forces ships/Sailors in preparation for future LSCO scenarios.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147839974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Can grit be cultivated? Longitudinal evidence for psychological mechanisms in Taiwanese military cadets.","authors":"Shih-Yao Hsiung","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2026.2668742","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2026.2668742","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Grit is recognized as a key psychological resource for military personnel, yet limited longitudinal research has examined whether and how grit develops during military training. This study investigated the developmental trajectory of grit among 318 military cadets over one academic year using a four-wave longitudinal design. Latent growth modeling and multi-group analysis were employed to identify psychological predictors of grit development and to examine whether these predictors operated consistently across different grade levels. Results showed that grit exhibited a significant positive growth trajectory after controlling for psychological antecedents. A dual-process mechanism emerged from the analysis. Hope, growth mindset, and deliberate practice functioned as foundational factors that predicted initial levels of grit. Emotion regulation served as a catalytic factor and was the only significant predictor of the rate of grit growth over time. These psychological mechanisms were invariant across grade levels, suggesting that grit development is driven more by psychological factors than by maturation. Furthermore, both initial grit levels and grit growth positively predicted prosocial behavior and negatively predicted counterproductive behavior at the end of the academic year. These findings indicate that grit can be cultivated through targeted psychological training, offering practical guidance for military education and counseling programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147839965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}