General Self-Reported Health as it Relates to Self-Esteem, Situational Self-Efficacy and Coping among Soldiers

Abstract

As an indicator of broad-spectrum health, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance scales frequently use a single question on general self-reported health (GSRH). However, little information exists on whether a single question of GSRH is related to indices of a person’s mental health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between GSRH and indices of self-esteem, self-efficacy and coping. During their first two weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), 579 US Army Health Care Specialist Trainees completed demographic and self-report data, including GSRH, the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist (RWCCL), the Situational Self-Efficacy Scale (SSE), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES). Spearman Rho correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data with Stata statistical software (StataCorp, 2005). GSRH was positively correlated with SSE, the SES, and problem focused and social support seeking methods of coping, (p < .05). GSRH was negatively correlated with blaming self, wishful thinking, and avoidance methods of coping (p < .05). Results indicate that, among active duty service members attending medical AIT, a single question on general selfreported health appears to be a good representation of a persons’ perception of his or her self-esteem, selfefficacy and coping skills.