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Do Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies Differ by Generation in U.S. Military Active Duty and Veterans?

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Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare and Medical Devices (AHFE 2020)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 1205))

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Abstract

U.S. service members move frequently and work in high-stress jobs that affect the individual, military mission, and family dynamics. A deployment situation could involve life and death decisions or encounters for themselves and fellow service members. U.S. service members must cope effectively for their own, their fellow warriors, and their family’s well-being and success. This study assessed self-reported perceived stress and coping strategies of active duty U.S. service members and veterans, based on generation age groups (n = 246). Three stratified groups consisted of 1) Baby Boomers, 2) Generation X, and 3) Millennials. No significant generational age differences were seen on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) responses or the brief COPE (Coping subscales). This research does not support prior research findings in which age was associated with coping, possibly due to volunteers self-selecting into a study on stress-management or being averse to reporting less beneficial coping strategies.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the U.S. military service members and veterans who participated in this study. Support for this research is in part by the U.S. Army Study Program Management Office (ASPMO).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Army Medical Department Field Element, Real-World Soldier Quantification Branch (RSQ), 3161 McIndoe Rd., Building 1152, Fort Sam Houston (JBSA), San Antonio, TX, 78234-7535, USA

    Gary L. Boykin Sr. & Valerie J. Rice

  2. DCS Corp, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Stephen C. Allison

Authors
  1. Gary L. Boykin Sr.
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  2. Stephen C. Allison
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  3. Valerie J. Rice
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Correspondence to Gary L. Boykin Sr. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Jay Kalra

  2. Center for Applied Systems Engineering, Veterans Affairs, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Nancy J. Lightner

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The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

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Boykin, G.L., Allison, S.C., Rice, V.J. (2020). Do Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies Differ by Generation in U.S. Military Active Duty and Veterans?. In: Kalra, J., Lightner, N. (eds) Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare and Medical Devices. AHFE 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1205. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50838-8_41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50838-8_41

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-50837-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-50838-8

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