Psychological Hardiness and Avoidance Coping Are Related to Risky Alcohol Use in Returning Combat Veterans

This study examines psychological hardiness and avoidance coping as predictors of risk for alcohol abuse in military personnel following war-zone deployment. U.S. Army soldiers returning from Afghanistan completed questionnaire surveys during their first week home, and again seven to nine months lat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military behavioral health 2015-10, Vol.3 (4), p.274-282
Main Authors: Bartone, Paul T., Eid, Jarle, Hystad, Sigurd W., Jocoy, Kathleen, Laberg, Jon C., Johnsen, Bjorn H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alcohol use
avoidance coping
combat exposure
Hardiness
military
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Summary:This study examines psychological hardiness and avoidance coping as predictors of risk for alcohol abuse in military personnel following war-zone deployment. U.S. Army soldiers returning from Afghanistan completed questionnaire surveys during their first week home, and again seven to nine months later. The Time 1 survey was administered in paper form during soldier administrative processing to home station. The Time 2 follow-up survey was administered electronically over the Internet. Data were analyzed using blockwise sequential logistic regressions, with age, rank, and combat exposure entered as covariates. Results show that low psychological hardiness, more combat exposure, younger age, and lower rank are associated with increased risk of alcohol abuse soon after return from deployment. At follow-up, avoidance coping was a significant predictor of risky alcohol use. These results suggest that alcohol screening programs for returning veterans may be improved by including assessment of such psychological variables as hardiness and avoidance coping.
ISSN:2163-5781
2163-5803
DOI:10.1080/21635781.2015.1085931