Resilience after combat: A prospective, longitudinal study of Marines and Navy Corpsmen
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Yurgil, K. A., Ricca, H., & Baker, D. G. (2024). Resilience after combat: A prospective, longitudinal study of Marines and Navy Corpsmen. Journal of Health Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053241236539
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study identified individual, social, and military factors related to Service members’ perceived resilience (e.g., optimism, adaptability) after returning from a combat deployment. Prior to deployment (baseline), 1,835 Marines and Navy Corpsmen reported their demographic traits (e.g., ethnicity, rank), perceived resilience, and mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). One week after returning from a 7-month deployment, Service members reported their deployment and combat experiences. 3 months post-deployment, Service members reported their perceived resilience, mental health, social health (i.e., unit support, social support), and positive and negative emotions. Overall, unit support, social support, and positive emotions were the most salient factors associated with perceived resilience after a combat deployment.
Focus:
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Navy
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Yurgil, Kate A., Ricca, Hayden, Baker, Dewleen G.
Abstract:
Resilience is common, yet our understanding of key biopsychosocial and environmental correlates is limited. Additionally, perceived resilience is often conflated with absence of psychiatric symptoms. Here we leverage prospective, longitudinal data from 1835 Marines and Navy Corpsmen to examine predictors of perceived resilience 3 months after a combat deployment, while controlling for pre-deployment and concurrent psychiatric symptoms. Marines and Corpsmen did not differ significantly on psychosocial or clinical factors, and 50.4% reported high perceived resilience after deployment. Across groups, the strongest predictors of post-deployment perceived resilience were pre-deployment perceived resilience, positive emotions, and social support. Concurrent depression was the only clinical symptom negatively associated with perceived resilience. Our findings suggest that perceived resilience is a multi-dimensional construct that involves both psychosocial and personality factors, including but not limited to low psychopathology. Notably, establishing strong social support networks and encouraging positive emotions may help promote resilience following deployment.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
resilience, combat, psychiatric symptoms
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: