This study evaluates the influence of a resilience training on psychobiological factors which are related to stress and resilience in young healthy male cadets. Half of participants will join in the resilience training, while the other half take part in a control-training (diversity management training).
The resilience training (Army Resilience Training / ART) is a stress prevention program based on well established methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology adapted for the needs of Swiss Armed Forces. ART is designed for healthy subjects to learn how to get over strain. Diversity management training (DMT) aims to promote social skills and acts as control condition. DMT is part of the military training but not mandatory for the study population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
91
The Army Resilience Training consists four training sessions of 90 minutes each. Participants learn to reflect their stress management (including thinking, emotions, behavioral consequences; coping strategies) and build resilience using specific strategies.
Diversity Management Training consists four training sessions of 90 minutes each. Participants learn about diversity and social awareness reflecting different situations and settings.
Swiss Military Caserne
Liestal, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland
Change in heart rate variability (HRV)
Change is the difference from HRV at baseline (week 2) and after resilience training (intervention) in week 9
Time frame: Weeks 2 (baseline) and 9 of the military training
Area under the curve (AUC) with respect to changes of salivary cortisol titer
During stress exposure; six saliva samples will be taken and analyzed for cortisol reactivity.
Time frame: Weeks 2 and 9 of the military training
Change of Testosterone Levels
During stress exposure; four saliva samples will be taken and analyzed for testosterone levels.
Time frame: Weeks 2 and 9 of the military training
Intensity of acute psychological stress
Perceived stress intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: Weeks 2, 9 and 12 of the military training
Affect of acute psychological stress
Perceived stress measured by Positive Negative Affect
Time frame: Weeks 2, 9 and 12 of the military training
Stress Appraisal
Perceived stress appraisal measured by Primary and Secondary Appraisal
Time frame: Weeks 2, 9 and 12 of the military training
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