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Resilience Training with Soldiers during Basic Combat Training: Randomisation by Platoon
Author(s) -
Adler Amy B.,
Williams Jason,
McGurk Dennis,
Moss Andrew,
Bliese Paul D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
applied psychology: health and well‐being
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.276
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1758-0854
pISSN - 1758-0846
DOI - 10.1111/aphw.12040
Subject(s) - training (meteorology) , mental health , anxiety , psychology , psychological resilience , group cohesiveness , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , physics , meteorology
Background: Resilience Training has the potential to mitigate mental health symptoms when provided during initial military training. Methods: The present study examined the impact of Resilience Training on US soldier well‐being and attitudes during Basic Combat Training. Platoons were randomly assigned to Resilience Training or Military History provided during the first few days of Basic Combat Training. Surveys were conducted at baseline, post‐intervention, and 3, 6, and 9 weeks. Results: The sample resulted in a total of 1,939 soldiers who completed at least the baseline and one follow‐up survey. There were no significant differences between conditions in terms of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or sleep problems. However, while anxiety decreased in both conditions, the rate of decrease was faster in the Resilience Training condition. In contrast, Resilience Training had a slower rate of increase in group cohesion over time than the Military History condition. In addition, Resilience Training was associated with greater confidence in helping others and received more positive ratings than Military History. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that the brief Resilience Training studied here may have some utility in supporting mental health and peer support but may not benefit unit climate.