Efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioral Program to Improve Psychological Adjustment among Soldiers in Recruit Training

Abstract:

This study evaluated the efficacy of a brief cognitive-behavioral program in modifying causal attributions, expectancy of control, coping strategies, and psychological adjustment in a sample of Australian Army soldiers undergoing a 45-day recruit training program. Participants (N = 174) were randomly allocated within platoons to a treatment group (N = 101) or control group (N = 73). Data were collected before and after the intervention and 23 days later, at the end of training. Compared with the control group, those who received the intervention reported more temporary and specific attributions, less reliance on self-blame coping, greater positive states of mind, and lower psychological distress at the end of training.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Directorate of Strategic Personnel Planning and Research, Fyshwick, ACT, 2609, Australia.Current address: Directorate of Mental Health, CP2-7-126, Northcott Drive, Campbell, ACT, 2600 Australia. 2: School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.