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Resilience as a Protective Factor in Basic Military Training, a Longitudinal Study of the Swiss Armed Forces

Author

Listed:
  • Sandra Sefidan

    (Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
    Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland)

  • Maria Pramstaller

    (Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
    Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
    Praxis Pramstaller, Seestrasse 107, 8707 Uetikon am See, Switzerland)

  • Roberto La Marca

    (Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
    Clinica Holistica Engiadina, Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, 7542 Susch, Switzerland)

  • Thomas Wyss

    (Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM, 2532 Magglingen, Switzerland)

  • Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani

    (Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67146, Iran
    Departments of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA
    Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Hubert Annen

    (Military Academy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland)

  • Serge Brand

    (Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67146, Iran
    Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
    Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health, Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67146, Iran
    School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 25529, Iran)

Abstract

For recruits, basic military training (BMT) can be experienced as a stressful episode in which relevant protective factors such as resilience might be essential for successful completion of the training. The present study examined whether resilience would act as a protective factor during BMT in the Swiss Armed Forces. To this end, we conducted a cross-sectional and longitudinal study of resilience and psychological burden. At the beginning of the BMT and at week 11, 525 male recruits (mean age: 20.3 years) completed a series of questionnaires covering demographic information and assessing resilience, perceived stress and mental distress. In parallel, their superiors rated recruits’ military performance in week 13. Dropout rates were also registered. Cross-sectionally and longitudinally, higher resilience scores predicted lower scores for perceived stress, mental distress, and better military performance. Higher self-rated resilience was moderately associated with military performance, as rated by recruits’ superiors. Resilience scores, perceived stress and mental distress did not differ between those recruits continuing their BMT and dropouts. In support of our assumptions, resilience acted as a protective factor during Swiss Armed Forces BMT.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Sefidan & Maria Pramstaller & Roberto La Marca & Thomas Wyss & Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani & Hubert Annen & Serge Brand, 2021. "Resilience as a Protective Factor in Basic Military Training, a Longitudinal Study of the Swiss Armed Forces," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6077-:d:569062
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mario J. Valladares-Garrido & Yanela Huamani-Colquichagua & Claudia Anchay-Zuloeta & Cinthia K. Picón-Reátegui & Danai Valladares-Garrido, 2022. "Time in Service and Resilience in Active Military Personnel during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Caragea Marius-Emanuel, 2025. "Strategic Approaches To Improve Managerial Assistance In Modern Military Organizations," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1, pages 237-245, February.
    3. Mahmoud Mohebi & Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani & Sahar Zarei & Hassan Gharayagh Zandi & Serge Brand, 2021. "Examining the Effects of Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment Training on Self-Compassion and Grit among Elite Female Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Agnieszka Lasota & Justyna Mróz, 2021. "Positive Psychology in Times of Pandemic—Time Perspective as a Moderator of the Relationship between Resilience and Meaning in Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Madlaina Niederhauser & Regula Zueger & Sandra Sefidan & Hubert Annen & Serge Brand & Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, 2022. "Does Training Motivation Influence Resilience Training Outcome on Chronic Stress? Results from an Interventional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-14, May.

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