Characterizing the Health and Attitudes of Rear Detachment Soldiers. (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jennings, Kristen S.; Adler, Amy B.; Thomas, Jeffrey L.
• Is Part Of: Military behavioral health. Volume 5:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Rear detachment -- deployed ready reserves -- mental health -- physical health -- unit climate; Military psychiatry -- Periodicals; Combat -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 355.345
• DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2016.1272022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2163-5781

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study characterized the health and attitudes of 849 soldiers assigned to the rear detachment (separated into organizational or personal reasons for nondeployed status) compared with 2, 181 deployed soldiers. Rear detachment soldiers assigned for personal reasons reported more health symptoms and lower unit climate than deployed soldiers and soldiers assigned to the rear detachment for organizational reasons. Rear detachment soldiers assigned for organizational reasons reported symptom levels and unit climate similar to that of deployed soldiers. Better rear detachment leadership was associated with better soldier adjustment even after controlling for general leadership. Implications for supporting rear detachment soldiers are discussed.