J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2013 Dec;22(4):285-294.

Military Stress, Stress Coping, and Mental Health Status among Soldiers who Need Intensive Care

• Kim H
• Keum R
• Kim S
• Park SI
• Park JY

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the level of military stress, stress coping, and mental health status and to identify the relationships among these variables in soldiers who need intensive care.
METHODS
The participants were 113 perceived maladjusted soldiers who participated in Green-camp from one army base in Gyeong-gi Province. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed with the SPSS-WIN 20.0 program. The instruments were the Military Stress Inventory, Ways of Coping Checklist, and Symptoms Checklist- 90-Revision (SCL-90-R).
RESULTS
The level of stress was 3.6+/-0.70, overall stress coping was 1.1+/-0.41, and mental health status was 1.5+/-0.93. There were significant differences in stress, stress coping, and mental health status according religion, economic status of family, prospects for the future, persons with whom one could talk about troubles. The group with higher emotion focused coping had significantly higher scores on mental health status. There were significant positive correlations among major variables. Military stress was a significant predictor of mental health status (Adjusted R2 21.0%).
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, stress management and intervention programs focusing on depression are highly recommended to manage maladaptive problems in soldiers.

Keyword

Psychological stress; Coping skills; Mental health; Military personnel

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Checklist
Depression
Humans
Critical Care*
Mental Health*
Military Personnel*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Stress, Psychological

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