Analysis of Unit Variation and Peer Influence of Destructive Behaviors in the U.S. Military
Abstract
As requested by OPNAV N17, we conduct an empirical investigation into unit-level variations and peer influences of destructive behaviors in the U.S. military, with a particular emphasis on the Navy and the Marine Corps. We assembled a comprehensive individual-level database that includes demographic, service, unit, and medical information on all active-duty service members from 2003 to 2015. We pursued three aims: 1) to study the relationship between unit composition and unit-level incidences of destructive behaviors, 2) to identify units at high-risk of destructive behaviors, and 3) to study how peers within a unit influence each other to engage in destructive behaviors. Among our key findings are: that the vast majority of units in each quarter have at least one member who engages in a destructive behavior; that we can empirically identify high-risk units that have particularly high incidences of multiple destructive behaviors; and that peers meaningfully influence each others decisions to engage in destructive behaviors, especially among the younger and enlisted personnel. These results can guide military policy-makers toward more informed choices about the optimal allocation of resources between individual- and unit-level interventions to reduce the prevalence of destructive behaviors, and our methodologies can serve as abasis for future research in this area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1201975
Entities
People
- Jenni A. Heissel
- Jesse M. Cunha
- Yu-chu Shen
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School