Mediation of Cognitive Appraisal on Combat Exposure and Psychological Distress

Edge, Heather J. McCuaig; Ivey, Gary W.

doi:10.1080/08995605.2012.642292

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…For example, consistent with literature from earlier wars, appraisals of combat have been found to be better predictors of PTSD than combat itself, and appraisals of combat can mediate the relationship between serving in combat and psychological distress (McCuaig Edge & Ivey, 2012), both during and shortly after service (Bush, Skopp, McCann, & Luxton, 2011). …”

Section: Appraisals Of Wartime Military Servicesupporting

confidence: 61%

Men's Appraisals of Their Military Experiences in World War II: A 40-Year Perspective

Settersten

Day

Elder

et al. 2012

Research in Human Development

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Using data on veterans from the longitudinal Harvard Study of Adult Development (N=241), we focused on subjective aspects of military service. We examined how veterans of World War II appraised specific dimensions of military service directly after the war and over 40 years later, as well as the role of military service in their life course. In addition to examining change in appraisals, we examined how postwar appraisals of service mediated the effects of objective aspects of service, and how postwar psychological adjustment and health mediated the effects of postwar appraisals, on later-life appraisals. Men’s appraisals at both time points were generally, but not highly, positive, and revealed remarkable consistency over four decades. Postwar appraisals strongly predicted later-life appraisals and mediated the effects of objective service variables. The effects of postwar appraisals were not carried forward through psychological adjustment or midlife health. Better adjustment, however, was negatively related to later-life appraisals. Results reinforce the idea that how men perceive their military experiences may be more important in predicting outcomes than the experiences themselves. Results are discussed in light of the sample characteristics, the historical context of World War II, and the complexities of appraisal and retrospection.

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Section: Appraisals Of Wartime Military Servicesupporting

confidence: 61%

Men's Appraisals of Their Military Experiences in World War II: A 40-Year Perspective

Settersten

Day

Elder

et al. 2012

Research in Human Development

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“…Thus, a partial mediation model (which assumes direct paths from stress to cognitive appraisal) and a full mediation model (which removes the direct path from stress to psychological health) were tested. Several previous studies have demonstrated the mediating role of cognitive appraisal in the relationship between different variables, such as stress and burnout (Gomes, Faria, & Gonçalves, 2013), stress and psycho-physiological reactions (Goh, Sawang, & Oei, 2010), resilience factors and psychological distress (Schaubroeck, Riolli, Peng, & Spain, 2011), and combat exposure and psychological distress (McCuaig Edge & Ivey, 2012). However, in this study, the mediating effect of cognitive appraisal was tested using a multidimensional measure of both primary and secondary cognitive appraisal, which is still not frequently used in occupational stress research (Carpenter, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 91%

Stress and Psychological Health

2016

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This study tested the mediating role of primary (e.g., threat and challenge perceptions) and secondary (e.g., coping potential and control perception) cognitive appraisal in the relationship between occupational stress and psychological health. This mediation was tested using a cross-sectional study based on self-reported measures. The total sample consisted of 2,302 nurses, 1,895 females (82.3%) and 407 males (17.7%), who completed an evaluation protocol with measures of occupational stress, cognitive appraisal, and psychological health. To test the mediating role of cognitive appraisal in the relationship between cognitive appraisal and psychological health, we used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results confirmed that primary and secondary cognitive appraisals partially mediated the relationship between occupational stress and psychological health; however, the direct effects of stress on psychological health cannot be ignored. The findings indicated that cognitive appraisal is an important underlying mechanism in explaining adaptation at work.

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“…Support for Hypothesis 8, that increases in strain would also be associated with increases alcohol consumption, was also expected. Both findings align with previous research and highlight the importance of understanding the influence of Combat Exposure on deployed members' mental health (Bouchard, Baus, Bernier, & McCreary, 2010;Fear et al, 2010;Fetzner et al, 2013;Jacobson et al, 2008;McCuaig Edge & Ivey, 2012;Ramchand et al, 2011;Saxon et al, 2001;Skomorovsky & Lee, 2012;Wilk et al, 2010).…”

Section: Study 2 Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The Influence of Stressors and Strain on Alcohol Use in Canadian Armed Forces Members

Rankin¹

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Historically, alcohol consumption in the military has been widespread, especially postdeployment, which causes concern for the leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the post-Afghanistan deployment era. In order to shed light onto this important issue, two studies assessed the impact of multiple stressors and strain on alcohol consumption utilizing a stressor-strain-alcohol consumption model (SSAC model).Moreover, generational differences in alcohol consumption as well as various elements of the SSAC model were examined. In Study 1, an initial model identified the influence of pre-military service life stressors on alcohol consumption in recently enrolled members and found that increases in Negative Life Events and Exposure to Violence in their preservice lives were associated with increases in alcohol consumption, and that these associations were mediated by posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD).Interestingly, Millennials were found to consume more alcohol than both Gen Xers and Late Baby Boomers, and they also demonstrated weaker associations between Childhood Neglect/Depression, Childhood Neglect/PTSD, and alcohol consumption/Negative Life Events than did Gen Xers. Equally noteworthy, Gen Xers and Late Baby Boomers consumed alcohol to the same degree. In Study 2, a revised model was tested in the postdeployment context with Combat Exposure as the stressor. Also, baseline information from pre-enrollment (Time 1) was controlled in the post-deployment SSAC model (Time 2) to further elucidate the impact of Combat Exposure on strain and alcohol consumption.Results indicated which stressors, namely Negative Life Events and Childhood Adversity, and strain (i.e., Depression and PTSD), had cumulative, long-term effects on members' alcohol consumption. Generations did not differ significantly on alcohol consumption, but it was noted that Millennials demonstrated weaker association between Time 1 and Time STRESSOR-STRAIN-ALCOHOL USE iii 2 alcohol consumption than did Gen Xers. This thesis bridges the gap in our understanding of alcohol consumption in a highly relevant and high-risk environment, thereby providing the CAF with insight into current alcohol consumption trends and precursors to alcohol consumption across generations. STRESSOR-STRAIN-ALCOHOL USEiv Acknowledgements Without a doubt, I would not have accomplished the thesis without the guidance, support, and friendship of many generous and giving individuals.First, I would like to thank my two advisers for their contributions to my thesis.Dr. Jennifer Lee challenged me and greatly contributed to my understanding of the effects of alcohol consumption in stress-strain and post-deployment contexts; my ability to conduct, interpret, and write statistical analysis, especially mediation; and pushed my creative research boundaries. I will not be able to repay her for her selfless efforts and massive amounts of time and patience. Dr. Janet Mantler provided sound advice on the thesis process, insightful feedback on my thesis, and guided me to my thesis t...

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Mediation of Cognitive Appraisal on Combat Exposure and Psychological Distress

Cited by 19 publications

References 32 publications

Men's Appraisals of Their Military Experiences in World War II: A 40-Year Perspective

Men's Appraisals of Their Military Experiences in World War II: A 40-Year Perspective

Stress and Psychological Health

The Influence of Stressors and Strain on Alcohol Use in Canadian Armed Forces Members

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