Sara E Vargas, Kade Thornton, Colby Norris, Galen Gist, Madison F Clark, Leslie Ramirez, Melissa Guillen, Kate M Guthrie, Ryan R Landoll
{"title":"Sexual and reproductive health in military settings: A qualitative study.","authors":"Sara E Vargas, Kade Thornton, Colby Norris, Galen Gist, Madison F Clark, Leslie Ramirez, Melissa Guillen, Kate M Guthrie, Ryan R Landoll","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2024.2324644","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2024.2324644","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mission readiness is critical to the operational success of the United States (US) military and includes having a healthy and fit fighting force. Service members and their dependents have access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services with no out-of-pocket costs. Despite this access, negative outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy persist. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with service members and stakeholders (e.g. medical providers). Interviews explored the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and institutional factors that inform sexual norms, behaviors, and healthcare experiences in the US military. Interview transcripts were coded manually; data were summarized for themes related to unique aspects of military culture and healthcare affecting sexual and reproductive health. Twenty-five (25) service members and 15 stakeholders completed interviews. Four themes emerged: 1) despite free access, both general and military-specific barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare persist; 2) general and military-specific cultural norms apply to sexual behavior and care seeking; 3) sexual and reproductive health-related norms can be perceived as confusing and contradictory within the military; and 4) resources addressing sexual assault are ubiquitous in military settings, but resources addressing prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancy are limited. Both general and military-specific norms, behavior, and healthcare experiences need to be considered in clinical care, public health campaigns, and other efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health in military settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140022233","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2023-01-25DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2170672
Nadine Eggimann Zanetti, Willibald Ruch, Hubert Annen
{"title":"The utility of the psycholexical approach for identifying military core values: Illustrated in a sample of Swiss career officers and NCOs.","authors":"Nadine Eggimann Zanetti, Willibald Ruch, Hubert Annen","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2023.2170672","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2023.2170672","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Values have always been a top priority in the military domains of leadership, training, ethical commitment, and psychological research. However, only a few studies have assessed value descriptors and their underlying dimensional structure in military organizations using an empirical psycholexical and factor analytical approach. This research project examined the structure of military values and derived core military values. Two studies were conducted in cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces. In study 1, 25 military-specific value descriptors were identified based on a psycholexical analysis of military guidelines and in line with expert ratings by executive military leaders. In study 2, a questionnaire was filled out by a sample of 550 military professionals to capture their ratings of values as applied to everyday military decisions and actions. Principal component analysis in combination with Goldberg's top-down approach delivered five military value categories that reflect the military culture in Switzerland, characterized as (I) freedom, (II) social cohesion, (III) good soldiership, (IV) mutual respect, and (V) military conformity. Results are discussed in light of introducing a novel research approach to assessing the value structure and culture in military organizations.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"214-226"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49005313","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2023-01-23DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2167467
Kathleen M Saul, Michael D Young, Jenny M Siddiqi, Dale A Hirsch
{"title":"Developing a mental toughness program for basic military training.","authors":"Kathleen M Saul, Michael D Young, Jenny M Siddiqi, Dale A Hirsch","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2023.2167467","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2023.2167467","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To build a warfighter from the ground up, training should include not only the core competencies required for job performance in the Fleet but also the mental toughness expected to handle the stress, fatigue, and call for sudden action required of all sailors on duty, regardless of occupation. Recruit Training Command (RTC) has embarked on a program to provide explicit training to recruits on the development of toughness in boot camp. This program is multifaceted, including three pilot programs (two all-male pilots, one integrated/mixed gender pilot) for mental skill training. Recruit divisions were assigned to either mental toughness (MT) condition or active control (AC). The MT group received daily, 10-min guided mindfulness exercises, three \"just-in-time\" trainings in sports psychology skills, and an on-command focusing exercise. Results varied across the three pilots with the exception of on-time graduation rates, which favored the MT condition in every pilot. Taken together, the three MT pilot studies show possible benefits for performance during boot camp with MT practice, and predictable advantages for graduation rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"203-213"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10890711/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42003584","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2022-12-20DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2153548
Eva Guérin, Isabelle Richer
{"title":"Piloting the home ship: Understanding the deployment experience of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command spouses.","authors":"Eva Guérin, Isabelle Richer","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2153548","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2153548","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Special Operations Forces (SOF) members are frequently deployed to hostile environments for prolonged periods of time, and their families are exposed to unique difficulties and stressors. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) spouses as it relates to the intensity of the SOF deployment process. As part of a larger study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 spouses of CANSOFCOM members. The interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the central dimensions of spouses' experience with deployment. Participants reflected on their experiences, from pre-deployment to post-deployment, and as they transitioned between deployments, across social/relational, practical/instrumental, and psychological/emotional dimensions. The findings raised important concerns regarding perpetual transitions for the family unit and exhaustion among spouses faced with a deployment loop that never closes. Although results echoed previous studies, in terms of the strain of solo-parenting and coping with children's emotional needs, communication and maintaining connections, these aspects were uniquely affected by repeated deployments, prolonged time away, operations security, and high organizational demands. Although many spouses acquired the strength and skills to cope with the lifestyle, the findings suggest several opportunities to tailor resources and support services to their dynamic needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"168-183"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880494/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49305113","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2023-01-05DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2160151
Paul B Ingram, Patrick Armistead-Jehle, Tristan T Herring, Cole S Morris
{"title":"Cross validation of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) Cognitive Bias Scale of Scales (CB-SOS) over-reporting indicators in a military sample.","authors":"Paul B Ingram, Patrick Armistead-Jehle, Tristan T Herring, Cole S Morris","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2160151","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2160151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Following the development of the Cognitive Bias Scale (CBS), three other cognitive over-reporting indicators were created. This study cross-validates these new Cognitive Bias Scale of Scales (CB-SOS) measurements in a military sample and contrasts their performance to the CBS. We analyzed data from 288 active-duty soldiers who underwent neuropsychological evaluation. Groups were established based on performance validity testing (PVT) failure. Medium effects (d = .71 to .74) were observed between those passing and failing PVTs. The CB-SOS scales have high specificity (≥.90) but low sensitivity across the suggested cut scores. While all CB-SOS were able to achieve .90, lower scores were typically needed. CBS demonstrated incremental validity beyond CB-SOS-1 and CB-SOS-3; only CB-SOS-2 was incremental beyond CBS. In a military sample, the CB-SOS scales have more limited sensitivity than in its original validation, indicating an area of limited utility despite easier calculation. The CBS performs comparably, if not better, than CB-SOS scales. CB-SOS-2's differences in performance in this study and its initial validation suggest that its psychometric properties may be sample dependent. Given their ease of calculation and relatively high specificity, our study supports the interpretation of elevated CB-SOS scores indicating those who are likely to fail concurrent PVTs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"192-202"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880507/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10131481","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2022-12-07DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2147361
Paul B Lester, Peter D Harms, Justin A DeSimone
{"title":"Taken to the extreme: Transformational leadership, psychological capital, and follower health outcomes in extreme contexts.","authors":"Paul B Lester, Peter D Harms, Justin A DeSimone","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2147361","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2147361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study is to examine the boundary conditions of transformational leadership, follower psychological capital, and their effects on follower mental health outcomes. Specifically, we utilize archival, multi-wave data from a military sample to examine whether the negative relationship between transformational leadership and adverse follower stress outcomes increases as the context shifts from a relatively safe environment to one in which follower lives are at risk. Additionally, psychological capital, a constellation of personal psychological resources, is also assessed to account for individual buffers against extreme stressors. Findings from the current study suggest that the negative relationship between transformational leadership and follower stress increases significantly when the context shifts to a high-risk, mortality-salient environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"137-147"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880496/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48982606","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2023-02-01DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2156200
Stacey B Armstrong, Yitong Xin, Nathan D Sepeda, Martín Polanco, Lynnette A Averill, Alan K Davis
{"title":"Prospective associations of psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans.","authors":"Stacey B Armstrong, Yitong Xin, Nathan D Sepeda, Martín Polanco, Lynnette A Averill, Alan K Davis","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2156200","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2156200","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated prospective associations of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment for risky alcohol use and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among United States (US) Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV). Data were collected during standard clinical operations at pre-treatment and 1-month (1 m), 3-months (3 m), and 6-months (6 m) post-treatment in an ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment program in Mexico. Of the 86 SOFV that completed treatment, 45 met criteria for risky alcohol use at pre-treatment (mean age = 44; male = 100%; White = 91%). There was a significant reduction in alcohol use from pre-treatment (M = 7.2, SD = 2.3) to 1 m (M = 3.6; SD = 3.5) post-treatment, which remained reduced through 6 m (M = 4.0; SD = 2.9; p < .001, partial eta squared = .617). At 1 m, 24% were abstinent, 33% were non-risky drinking, and 42% were risky drinkers. At 6 m, 16% were abstinent, 31% were non-risky drinking, and 53% were risky drinkers. There were no differences between responders (abstinent/non-risky drinkers) and non-responders (risky drinkers) in demographics/clinical characteristics. However, there were significant and very large differences between responders and non-responders in PTSD symptom (p < .01, d = -3.26) and cognitive functioning change (p < .01, d = -0.99). Given these findings, future clinical trials should determine whether psychedelic-assisted therapy holds promise for individuals with complex trauma and alcohol misuse who have not been successfully treated with traditional interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"184-191"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880491/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43403650","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2022-08-29DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2117537
Denise C Cooper, Marjorie S Campbell, Spencer R Case, Melissa C Fraine, Rebecca A Jones, Ilene F Klein, Tim Hoyt
{"title":"Outcome metrics utilized in evaluations of programs and interventions for combat and operational stress: A review of psychometric properties.","authors":"Denise C Cooper, Marjorie S Campbell, Spencer R Case, Melissa C Fraine, Rebecca A Jones, Ilene F Klein, Tim Hoyt","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2117537","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2117537","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Department of Defense has mandated combat and operational stress control (COSC) efforts for the Services since 1999. Although several COSC-related programs have been implemented, few have undergone evaluation, and no standardized metrics have been established to assess their effectiveness and utility. The purpose of this review was to characterize the content and psychometrics of measures that have been utilized as outcome metrics in evaluations of COSC-related programs and interventions. Systematic literature searches were conducted for publications that: a) evaluated at least one measure from U.S. service members who participated in a program or intervention to prevent or reduce the adverse effects of combat and operational stress; and b) reported U.S. data on the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and sensitivity/specificity of the identified measures. This process identified 15 measures for which psychometric properties were reviewed for acceptability based on recommended criteria. Identified measures varied from well-validated measures to newer instruments for which more data is needed on one or more of the target psychometric properties. Aside from internal consistency, psychometric data from U.S. military samples were sparse. Results further suggested that some measures might have reduced sensitivity in service members under certain conditions, such as large-scale screening. Additional studies are needed to validate COSC-relevant measures in service members. Future evaluations of programs and interventions for combat and operational stress should select measures that will increase the consistency of the literature, allow comparisons across studies, and ensure alignment with the objectives of identified programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"227-237"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880499/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48906600","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2022-12-02DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2151814
Outong Chen, Ranran Liu, Xiaojing Zhao
{"title":"Impact of army morale on suicidal ideation: The mediating role of grit and the moderating role of social support in a Chinese Navy population.","authors":"Outong Chen, Ranran Liu, Xiaojing Zhao","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2151814","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2151814","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study constructed a moderated mediation model to examine whether increased army morale could reduce suicidal ideation. The mediating role of grit and the moderating role of social support were also examined. A total of 1029 male navy cadets in China were recruited to complete the survey. The measures used in the study included the Army Morale Scale, Grit Scale, Social Support Scale, and Self-rated Idea of Suicide Scale. The results indicated that: increased army morale could significantly reduce suicidal ideation; the impact of army morale on suicidal ideation could be partially mediated by grit; and social support moderated the impact of army morale on suicidal ideation. Specifically, relatively higher levels of social support could reduce suicidal ideation among individuals with lower levels of army morale, but the effect is not significant when the morale is at a high level. The study revealed that increased army morale could reduce suicidal ideation. Moreover, the mediating role of grit and the moderating role of social support were also revealed.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"148-157"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880510/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47608285","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}
Military PsychologyPub Date : 2024-03-01Epub Date: 2022-12-19DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2151815
Leah Shelef, Ishai Nir, Lucian Tatsa-Laur, Nirit Yavnai, Niv Gold, Gadi Cohen, Ariel Ben Yehuda
{"title":"Factors associated with self-harm behaviors during military service in the Israel Defense Forces, rates of such behaviors and their outcomes.","authors":"Leah Shelef, Ishai Nir, Lucian Tatsa-Laur, Nirit Yavnai, Niv Gold, Gadi Cohen, Ariel Ben Yehuda","doi":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2151815","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08995605.2022.2151815","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The military environment involves stressful situations that may trigger or aggravate suicidal behaviors, such as suicide attempts (SAs), which significantly increase the likelihood of future suicide. This cross-sectional study aims to assess risk factors for severe SAs and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. Data were retrieved from an IDF computerized self-harm surveillance database and were based on the criteria of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and the Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII). The cohort included all 1,238 occurrences of self-harm behavior, during 2017-2021. Other investigated variables included adjustment difficulty (AD, as per IDF definition) and psychiatric diagnosis (PD) as reported by mental health officers (MHOs) during recruitment. Higher rates of adjustment difficulties were found among soldiers who had conducted NSSIs. Higher rates of previous psychiatric diagnoses were found among individuals with SAs, and their risk of dying by suicide during military service was twice as high (OR = 2.356; <i>p</i> < .001). If the latter also served in a combat unit, the risk was almost fourfold (OR = .3.860; <i>p</i> < .001). The current study demonstrates a clear difference between IDF soldiers who conduct NSSI vs. those conducting SA with regard to adjustment difficulty (as per IDF definition) and PD.</p>","PeriodicalId":18696,"journal":{"name":"Military Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"158-167"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880502/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46726015","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}