Insights of infantry soldiers: A qualitative exploration of psychological resilience and stress

Abstract: The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is currently struggling with a retention crisis. Within the CAF, The Canadian Army (CA) experiences the greatest attrition rates. Staffing shortages lead to an increase in job demands subsequently leading to greater stress, burnout, and turnover intentions. Psychological resilience has been found to buffer the negative effects of workplace stressors. There is a need to understand resilience within specific occupations to better inform resilience building interventions. This study aims to enhance knowledge of how infantry soldiers in the CA define resilience and what challenges they experience within the workplace that contribute to stress and how they cope with such stressors. A qualitative approach was used, with 14 semi-structured interviews conducted with CA personnel employed as infantry soldiers. Data were analyzed using a deductive content-analysis. Four themes emerged from the interviews: the nature of resilience, challenges of the profession, resilience strategies (attitudes), and resilience strategies (protective practices). The study provides unique insights into the experiences of infantry soldier’s and the mechanisms they employ to facilitate and maintain resilience.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Qualitative analysis of the lived experience of reproductive and pediatric health care in the military health care system

    Abstract: Introduction: Persistent inequities exist in obstetric and neonatal outcomes in military families despite universal health care coverage. Though the exact underlying cause has not been identified, social determinants of health may uniquely impact military families. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the potential impact of social determinants of health and the lived experiences of military individuals seeking maternity care in the Military Health System. Materials and methods: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Nine providers conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with individuals who delivered within the last 5 years in the direct or purchased care market. Participants were recruited through social media blasts and clinic flyers with both maximum variation and homogenous sampling to ensure participation of diverse individuals. Data were coded and themes were identified using inductive qualitative research methods. Results: Three main themes were identified: Requirements of Military Life (with subthemes of pregnancy notification and privacy during care, role of pregnancy instructions and policies, and role of command support), Sociocultural Aspects of the Military Experience (with subthemes of pregnancy as a burden on colleagues and a career detractor, postpartum adjustment, balancing personal and professional requirements, pregnancy timing and parenting challenges, and importance of friendship and camaraderie in pregnancy), and Navigating the Healthcare Experience (including subthemes of transfer between military and civilian care and TRICARE challenges, perception of military care as inferior to civilian, and remote duty stations and international care). Conclusions: The unique stressors of military life act synergistically with the existing health care challenges, presenting opportunities for improvements in care. Such opportunities may include increased consistency of policies across services and commands. Increased access to group prenatal care and support groups, and increased assistance with navigating the health care system to improve care transitions were frequently requested changes by participants.

    Physical Health Peer reviewed