Evaluating the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Resilience of Male and Female Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy
Abstract
In June 2020, the Centers for Disease Control reported a 31 percent increase in anxiety and depression among adults in the United States due to a worldwide pandemic, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). For a few years, protocols to mitigate virus spread existed in the United States and were strictly enforced among members of the armed forces. This pandemic raised the question of how this unfamiliar situation affected a military members ability to recover from an adverse situation. This paper analyzes the resilience of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) over a four-month period during the height of COVID-19 restrictions. The research utilizes pre-collected survey data that tested Midshipman resilience in June and September 2020, utilizing Smith et al.s 2008 Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Literature indicates varying gender resilience responses to adverse stimuli; therefore, BRS scores were separated into male and female categories and further into graduating cohorts: the Classes of 20212023. The results indicate a statistically significant decrease in overall resilience score for all surveyed females and the Class of 2022 female cohort when stratified by graduating class. Similarly, we observe a statistically significant decrease in resilience when examining all male students and within the three separate graduating male cohorts. Through our findings, this study attempts to bring awareness to gender-specific responses to adversity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213597
Entities
People
- Kate L. Richardson
- Paloma D. Perezurena
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School