Adapation to First Term Enlistment Among Women in the Marine Corps.
Abstract
Rates of premature first-term attrition approach 50% among women Marines. We propose that adjustment to first term enlistment among women and men in the US Marine Corps (USMC) will be associated with distal factors (i.e.,psychiatric histories, exposure to childhood stressors), proximal factors (i.e., task and socioemotional characteristics of the military setting) and their interaction. Further, gender differences in adjustment will be partially accounted for by gender differences in rates of exposure to certain distal and proximal events. This prospective, longitudinal study will assess female and male USMC recruits throughout the initial 18 months of their first-term enlistment. Distal factors and baseline mental and physical well being will be measured at the recruit depot. Proximal factors, occupational outcomes, and mental and physical well being will be assessed at the end of basic training, and at 9 and 18 months. This investigation will inform policy makers and clinicians concerned with improving retention in the USMC and optimizing both women's and men's performance and adaptation. The current report details the rationale for this study, and describes the status of the project to date.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA361924
Entities
People
- Jessica Wolfe
Organizations
- Veterans Administration Medical Center