Personal and Organizational Factors Affecting Health and Morale of US Army Special Forces Soldiers,
Abstract
Participant observation, group and individual interviews, and standardized questionnaires were used in assessing the relative levels and major sources of stress for Special Forces 'A-team' and support unit soldiers. Team members scored higher than support troops on measures of physical and psychological well-being and satisfaction with their unit, their chain-of-command, and the Army as a whole. Although team members acknowledged conflicts between job and family at double the rate of support unit members, scores of two groups on the Marital Satisfaction Inventory were not significantly different. Scores for the two groups on measures of sensation seeking, type A behavior and social desirability were also similar, but team members had more 'internal' locus-of-control scores and more 'protestant ethic' in their values toward work. Reports of social support available from family and friends were similar, but team members reported far more support available from unit and Army. Intense unit cohesion in A-teams is forwarded as the primary source of these findings. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADP003282
Entities
People
- F. J. Manning
- T. D. Fullerton
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research