Mental skills training with basic combat training soldiers: A group-randomized trial.

Abstract

Cognitive skills training has been linked to greater skills, self-efficacy, and performance. Although research in a variety of organizational settings has demonstrated training efficacy, few studies have assessed cognitive skills training using rigorous, longitudinal, randomized trials with active controls. The present study examined cognitive skills training in a high-risk occupation by randomizing 48 platoons (N = 2,432 soldiers) in basic combat training to either (a) mental skills training or (b) an active comparison condition (military history). Surveys were conducted at baseline and 3 times across the 10-week course. Multilevel mixed-effects models revealed that soldiers in the mental skills training condition reported greater use of a range of cognitive skills and increased confidence relative to those in the control condition. Soldiers in the mental skills training condition also performed better on obstacle course events, rappelling, physical fitness, and initial weapons qualification scores, although effects were generally moderated by gender and previous experience. Overall, effects were small; however, given the rigor of the design, the findings clearly contribute to the broader literature by providing supporting evidence that cognitive training skills can enhance performance in occupational and sports settings. Future research should address gender and experience to determine the need for targeting such training appropriately.

The paradoxical mechanisms of high‐performance work systems (HPWSs) on perceived workload: A dual‐path mediation model

“…HPWSs are likely to send positive signals to employees that their organisation regards their contributions as important and is concerned about their well‐being. For example, extensive training enhances employees' knowledge, skills, and abilities and is linked to greater skills, self‐efficacy, and performance (Adler et al, ); thus, such training is perceived as a signal that employees are respected and valued and that their development is taken seriously (Shore & Shore, ). Promotions, performance evaluations, and rewards with a focus on performance are used by employers to motivate individuals to contribute to organisational competitive advantage, to acknowledge and express appreciation for their accomplishments, and to demonstrate that they care about employee well‐being (DeNisi & Murphy, ; Liao et al, ).…”

Psychological Skills and “the Paras”: The Indirect Effects of Psychological Skills on Endurance

“…Furthermore, many sports events have evolved from military tasks such as: marksmanship (e.g., rifle shooting, archery), overcoming physical obstacles or defences (e.g., pole vault, high jump and cross country running), and navigation (e.g., orienteering, sailing; Goodwin, 2008). Given the similarities between sport and military performance, the application of sport psychology in the military is increasingly being recognized (e.g., Adler et al, 2015).…”

“…Over the past 40 years, numerous studies have demonstrated that psychological skills (PS) benefit athlete well-being and performance (e.g., Hayslip, Petrie, MacIntyre, & Jones, 2010;Thelwell & Greenlees, 2003) and initial research has linked PS training and military performance (Hammermeister, Pickering, McGraw, & Ohlson, 2010). One recent longitudinal experiment (Adler et al, 2015) revealed improvements in self-confidence and performance on a 20m aerial obstacle task for soldiers completing PS training in comparison to soldiers in an active control condition. However, it remains unclear exactly how such effects emerged.…”

“…Multiple investigations have reported correlations between scores from the TOPS/ TOPS-2 and levels of athletic performance (Hayslip et al, 2010), flow experience (Jackson, Thomas, Marsh, & Smethurst, 2001), anxiety responses (Fletcher & Hanton, 2001), and most recently, military performance (Adler et al, 2015). More broadly, the TOPS scales have been frequently cited, used as a measurement tool in a wide range of studies and are readily advocated assessment tools (e.g., Burton & Raedeke, 2008).…”

Magnitude of Problematic Anger and its Predictors in the Millennium Cohort

“…These attitudes re ect the ability to use coping skills (53) that place challenges into perspective and that re ect the importance of nding meaning in one's life and work. Skills related to these concepts could be strengthened in service members directly through training (53,54), and indirectly through institutional messaging about the importance of positive perspective and selfmastery, and through leaders who set an example and reinforce these attitudes. By supporting these kinds of adaptive skills and perceptions, studies could examine whether the risk of problematic anger years later may be lowered.…”