ABSTRACT

The aim was to examine hair cortisol levels and self-reported stress amongst conscripts during their basic military training, and how they are related to four types of theory-derived determinants. The following prediction was made: lower levels of perceived stress and hair cortisol will be associated with: (1) higher levels of emotional stability (the individual nonmilitary aspect); (2) a lower degree of private life problems (the contextual nonmilitary aspect); (3) more positive attitudes toward the military, higher engagement in military service, and higher adaptability to military conditions (the individual-military aspect); and (4) stronger group cohesion and better leadership (the contextual-military aspect). The sample consisted of a total of 107 male Lithuanian conscripts. Assessments were made at the beginning of their basic military training, in the middle, and at the end. Established instruments were used on all self-reported scales. Hair cortisol levels were established through analyses of hair samples. Low to moderate levels of stress were found throughout the basic training period regarding perceived stress levels. Hair cortisol levels were mainly unrelated to the self-rating scales. Regarding perceived stress, the prediction was fully confirmed. The future value of the theoretical model is discussed.

摘要

目的是检查应征者在基本军事训练期间的头发皮质醇水平和自我报告的压力，以及它们与四种理论衍生的决定因素之间的关系。做出了以下预测：较低水平的感知压力和头发皮质醇将与：（1）较高水平的情绪稳定性（个人非军事方面）；(2) 较低程度的私人生活问题（上下文非军事方面）；（三）对军队的态度更积极，服兵役的参与度更高，对军事条件的适应能力更强（个人-军队方面）；(4) 更强的群体凝聚力和更好的领导力（背景-军事方面）。样本由总共 107 名立陶宛男性应征入伍者组成。评估是在他们的基本军事训练开始时、中间和结束时进行的。在所有自我报告的量表上都使用了既定的工具。通过分析头发样本确定头发皮质醇水平。在关于感知压力水平的基础训练期间，发现了低到中等水平的压力。头发皮质醇水平主要与自评量表无关。关于感知压力，这一预测得到了充分证实。讨论了理论模型的未来价值。头发皮质醇水平主要与自评量表无关。关于感知压力，这一预测得到了充分证实。讨论了理论模型的未来价值。头发皮质醇水平主要与自评量表无关。关于感知压力，这一预测得到了充分证实。讨论了理论模型的未来价值。