1. 4 Ecole du Val de Grâce, Paris
The role of Mindfulness functioning in the psychological adjustment of Special Forces soldiers exposed to combat stress
CHARLES VERDONK1, SÉBASTIEN PEYREFITTE2, CÉLINE VIEIRA2, MARION TROUSSELARD3,4
1 Centre Médical des Armées de Monthéry - route de Limours, BP 60068, Monthléry Cedex, France
2 Antenne Médicale Spécialisée - 34, rue de la Martinière, Versailles-Satory, France
3 Département des facteurs humains, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées Brétigny sur Orge
4 Ecole du Val de Grâce, Paris
For over 20 years, our French armed forces have been actively engaged in numerous conflicts around the world. Soldiers were confronted with repeated deployments and stressors. Consequently, an increasing number of soldiers experiences psychological diseases affecting mood, thoughts, and behaviours, even to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Research have approved that Mindfulness (as a natural resource of the mind, present in all individuals to varying degrees) has multiple beneficial effects of health and performance, i.e., a mindful functioning serves to maintain self-esteem, provides a sense of meaning and purpose, gives emotional comfort, provides a sense of hope, gives an ethical framework, and encourages to care for others – and, under specific circumstances, can be associated with better physical and mental health.
Soldiers serving in the elite unit of the French National Gendarmerie (GIGN) are subjected to demands that are acute, chronic, permanent and specific: OpEx, in addition to fighting against terrorism and bandits, in France every day of the year. Beyond their rigorous selection, they follow a specific training that includes cognitive and emotional stress control techniques. These soldiers are considered to be in good health and expert in the stress management.
CONTEXTE
Although epidemiological data is lacking to support this claim, they appear as a relevant population for exploring the psychological mechanisms of stress adaptation as for understanding the factors involved in salutogenic wellness. the objective is first to characterize GIGN group from a psychological and psychopathological point of view, and, second to assess the psychopathological impact of an OpEx on it, in accordance with the level of Mindfulness.
METHOD
26 military members of the Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie (GIGN) participated in a prospective study during a 3 month deployment to an OpEx.
The OpEx lasted 3 months and concerned Afghanistan, Iraq, or Lybia.
Measures of psychological including Mindfulness and mental health functioning were conducted prior to departure and 3 to 6 month months after the return.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
Before deployment,
The GIGN military are characterized by protective personality factors against psychological suffering according to anxiety-trait, self-esteem, sense of internal control and alexithymia levels. The observed highly perceived stress level may not be surprising in view of the high level of danger that is actually on the ground. It is associated with a low anxiety-state and a high positive affects scores. Psychological stress mediation for these special forces are characterized by a sense of personal efficacy, coping strategies focused on the tasks that are very important, and a good emotional coping ability, widely recognized as important adaptation factors.
Special Forces soldiers were characterized by a high level of mindfulness. A higher level of Mindfulness (Mindful +) was associated with a higher level of beneficial internal resources, and a lower level in psychopathology assessments. (Figure 1, Figure 2-A)
After deployment,
In these Mindful subjects, psychological functioning with a high level of Mindfulness is even more important. Indeed, upon the return, the difference is expressed in all anxiety, depressive and somatic psychological health dimensions and can perhaps be used in conjunction with data from the literature highlighting the benefit of a high level of consciousness on rumination and psychological and somatic well-being (Figure 2-B).
CONCLUSIONS
The GIGN population appears as a model population in understanding the psychological mechanisms of adaptation to stress. Its high level of Mindfulness helps to limit the impact of intense stressors. Being mindful can therefore be considered as a behavior that protects health.
These results should encourage the development of a positive approach to military health.
KEY RESULTS