Thesis
Unit cohesion, in garrison occupational stressors, and mental health outcomes in U.S. soldiers
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Mar 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010430
Abstract
A great deal of research in the military context has focused on deployment-related stressors and their relationship to negative mental health outcomes; however, there is a paucity of research examining how the unique stressors soldiers face while in garrison (i.e., at their home base or installation; e.g., lack of meaningful work) relate to these outcomes. Because many in garrison stressors are either a necessary part of the job (e.g., environmental aspects like dust, sand, insects, or animals) or would require large-scale, systematic changes (e.g., mandatory trainings), it is important to examine modifiable elements that could buffer against negative mental health outcomes in this context, such as unit cohesion. Past research has found that high levels of unit cohesion weaken the relationship between deployment-related stressors and negative mental health outcomes; therefore, the primary hypothesis of this study is that unit cohesion will moderate the relationship between in garrison occupational stressors and mental health outcomes, with greater unit cohesion associated with a weaker relationship between in garrison occupational stressors and mental health outcomes. To examine this hypothesis, the present study analyzed data from 500 active duty soldiers located at an Army installation in the continental United States. As part of a larger study, participants completed self-report measures focusing on in garrison occupational stressors, unit cohesion, and mental health outcomes (i.e., symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, & depression). Unit cohesion was found to only significantly moderate the relationship between work stressors and symptoms of anxiety (as indicated by scores on the GAD-7). Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Unit cohesion, in garrison occupational stressors, and mental health outcomes in U.S. soldiers
- Creators
- Kelly A. Toner
- Contributors
- Arthur M. Nezu (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 64 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021867713304721