Examining the psychological resilience of service-fit enlistees who participated in Basic Military Training (BMT)

This quantitative time series study investigates Psychological Resilience as a dynamic construct within the context of service-fit enlistees undergoing Basic Military Training (BMT). Participants were service-fit enlistees from Basic Military School V, totalling 168 individuals with a mean age of 20.46 years. Central to this study is the formulation of the Dynamic Resilience Scale Index (DRSI), based on the core mechanism of resilience. The DRSI addresses fundamental cognitive abilities and emotional processes, proving to be an effective tool for quickly assessing an individual's current resilience by reflecting their situational appraisal and natural emotional responses.

In academia, the concept of resilience is converging toward a widely accepted definition across the fields of psychology, shifting from adaptation to the ability to withstand or recover from stressors. This evolution simplifies the theoretical construct and highlights two main adaptation trajectories: assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation involves cognitively accepting a situation and harnessing positive mental resources to benefit from it, whereas accommodation involves coping with the situation as it is, potentially with less mental capacity to seek out opportunities. Both trajectories indicate resilience by enabling individuals to withstand or recover from disturbances.

The DRSI, incorporating cognitive appraisal and emotional reactivity, was formulated and validated using the Primary Appraisal and Secondary Appraisal (PASA) and Perth Emotional Reactivity (PER) scales. Both scales were analysed for reliability and validity through internal consistency tests and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).

Repeated Measures ANOVA (RMA) was conducted to analyse the change in resilience throughout the training duration. Significant increases in DRSI were observed from T₁ to T₂, levelling off from T₂ to T₃, possibly due to habitualisation and the completion of knowledge and skill tests by T₃. Hierarchical Multiple Regression and Pearson Correlation were conducted to determine the association between resilience and training outcomes. Although the evaluation of different skills and knowledge showed limited resolution for Training Objectives, a significant correlation was found between resilience and Course Objectives, which are more concerned with the adjustment of individuals to regimentation and their preparedness for future training. This indicates that BMT positively impacts the resilience of enlistees.

One of the key findings was the significance of positive intensity in contributing to the perception of successful adjustment to regimentation and preparedness for future training. This positive intensity likely stems from the bonding among peers during BMT. Shared difficult experiences activate primeval emotional processes, fostering deep connections among enlistees. Such intense positive emotions enhance learning and social bonding, suggesting the need for interventions that increase opportunities for these experiences, thereby improving future training preparedness.

In conclusion, the developmental insights into resilience among service-fit enlistees offer the Army an opportunity to systemize resilience training. By equipping individuals to handle stressors better, the Army can cultivate a more effective military force. Beyond military applications, these resilience training insights have broader implications, including reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, and enhanced general well-being for individuals throughout their lives.