Analysis of Attrition, Retention and Criterion Task Performance of Recruits during Training
Abstract
Present research evaluated aspects of task performance, physical work capacity, biographical data, and psychological coping strategies, to determine their relationship to attrition and retention of personnel during a stressful training program. It attempted to develop a selection instrument that could be utilized as part of a pre-training screening device to optimize both personnel selection and subsequent occupational assignment and training in the US Armed Forces. Thirteen hundred men and women recruits were measured at the beginning of a recruit training period. Subsequent discriminant analysis of graduates and drop outs demonstrated significant differences on five variables correctly classifying 30% of the drop outs. These variables included physical self- comparison, reports of physical ailments (HOS), ability to cope with situational stress (RTLP), body composition and age. When these variables were subjected to a stepwise multiple regression, a predictive validity of .50 and .04 was observed for female and male dropouts respectively. Likewise, the use of multiple regression for the prediction of criterion task performances resulted in significant multiple Rs ranging from .45 to .67 using strength measurement alone. The results suggest that even with reasonable limitations of the multivariate model, in terms of cost effectiveness, it may be a useful tool for the identification of female dropouts and the prediction of task performance in a stressful training environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA115407
Entities
People
- Dan Sharp
- Dennis M. Kowal
- James A. Vogel
- Joseph J Knapik
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine