Stressors, social support and military performance in a modern war scenario

The present study examined differences in stressors, coping strategies, and military performance in two groups deployed in the same war scenario, but with operative and psychologically different challenges.

A total of 173 military personnel participated in the study. Questionnaires measuring stress, coping strategies and military performance were administered before and after deployment in Afghanistan. Hierarchical Regression Analyses measured the extent to which stressors or coping strategies explained variance in military performance.

Operational personnel judged their military performance better than Staff personnel. Social Support was the most important predictor variables of military performance. The results are discussed with regard to differences in the operative and psychological challenges during service and the general effect of stressors and social support on military performance.

Social support was important for coping with challenges regardless of the type of service you completed.