engleski

Psychological Model of Combat Stress

Combat stress denotes the onset of psychological, physical and behavioral reactions brought about by the exposure to traumatic experiences in the battlefield. Whether traumatic experiences will result in combat stress depends on a number of factors. Presented below is the psychological model of combat stress as derived from the experience and research run during the Homeland Defense War. (Figure) The onset of combat stress is conditioned by three groups of factors ; the first group containing factors related to battlefield (ratio of attack and defense force, and general conditions in the battlefield. The situation characterized by equal attacking and defending force (manpower and material potential) is expected to have equally traumatic impact on both sides. The conflict of the attacking force far more powerful than the defending one will also be much more traumatic for the latter. The next group involves stress-coping factors which, facilitated by well-conducted prevention, can fairly reduce effects of traumatic events in the field (especially in the case of acute combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder). Quality combat stress prevention requires systematical efforts towards enhancing personal, unit and social coping factors (where unit psychologists have an important role). Leadership factors make the last group of factors, with special emphasis on unit commanders, battlefield command and senior and top-level staffs. Quality combat stress training and prevention by unit commander, command and staff will contribute significantly to minimize negative effects of traumatic events in the battlefield. In heavy combat conditions combatants, moved by naturally activated defense/coping psychological mechanisms, go through and assess the battlefield situation. Conditions perceived as severe life threat will result in a series of combat stress reactions, which can be categorized into three main groups psychological reactions (cognitive, emotional, motivational ), physiological reactions (sensory reactions, dygestive system reactions, cardiovascular system reactions, respiratory and muscular system reactions) and behavioral reactions (directed towards fellow combatants, commanders, family members, friends etc). The factors and processes related to traumatic events in the battlefield will result in differential severity of combat stress. Almost all exposed experience psychological shock, which most soldiers do manage to get over while still in the battlefield, whereas a small portion develop the initial (first) degree of combat stress. However, after a short recovery a few steps away from the battlefield, aided by fellow combatants, commanders, unit psychologist and physician, the soldiers affected overcome this degree and resume their duty. A small percentage of soldiers, though, fails to recover within short time and develops acute combat stress. Even then some individuals will not recover but will suffer the onset of chronic combat stress, or even fall victims of post- traumatic stress disorder or different psycho- pathological conditions. Again, to emphasize is appropriate prevention and assistance, the responsibility mainly of military psychologists, as a powerful tool in reducing the impact of combat stress.

combat stress; psychological model; prevention

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