Soldiers' Physical, Emotional And Cognitive Sustainability During The ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Mission

Abstract

During military missions, soldiers are exposed to specific events like assaults, contact with locals, limited food, insecurities and limited sleep (EVENTS). Simultaneously, soldiers have to cope with homesickness, a new environment, limited privacy and limited contact with family and friends. War conditions and stress are known to be responsible for combat stress reactions and diminished cognitive, physical and emotional performance. However, the influence of the experience of different types of EVENTS on soldiers' sustainability is unknown. The impact might be different when EVENTS are experienced during combat compared to being in a safe and secure environment. Furthermore, some EVENTS are more related to stress reactions then others. PURPOSE: Gaining insight in the influence of EVENTS on soldiers' physical, emotional and cognitive sustainability. This knowledge can be used to optimize soldiers' care, health and to increase operational effectiveness. METHODS: The study was conducted in Afghanistan during ISAF. Two groups of soldiers were investigated; a compound group consisting of 20 soldiers with duties solely at Kamp Holland and a patrol group consisting of 47 soldiers who were on patrols during the testing. During three weeks the patrol group filled out a diary with questions (items of the Stress Questionnaire, REST-Q, CSASS, own judgement, most important EVENT and its impact) twice a day. The compound group filled out the same questions on a laptop and were tested cognitively (N-Back, VigTrack), emotionally (Emotional Stroop) and physically (Harvard step test). EVENTS were categorized in positive and negative EVENTS (Event valence). A Multilevel Analysis was conducted to determine the variables predicting positive or negative EVENTS. Significance was set at p<.05. RESULTS: Little variation was found in the scores of the variables due to the absence of extreme EVENTS. Multilevel analysis identified the variables 'impact score' and 'Event valence' as predictors for the occurrence of a positive or negative EVENTS (compound group: Chi-square difference 65.60 (df=2), p<.01, patrol group: Chi-square difference 29.44 (df=2), p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Event valence and the impact of an Event are variables that are useful to predict the type of EVENT experienced by soldiers.