Publication year
2012
Citation Title
Factors associated with physical aggression among US Army soldiers.
Journal Name
Aggressive Behavior
Journal Volume
38
Issue Number
5
Page Numbers
357-367
DOI
10.1002/ab.21436
Summary
The stress that accompanies Service member deployment may influence Service members' personal relationships following deployment. The relationship between combat exposure and the perpetration of aggression was examined among 6,128 Service members in the U.S. Army. Soldiers who had previously deployed reported a higher number of minor and severe physically aggressive actions, especially Soldiers who had experienced high levels of combat intensity.
Key Findings
Soldiers who had been deployed were involved in a higher number of minor and severe physical aggressive actions than those who had not deployed.
High levels of combat exposure, misuse of alcohol, and a history of intimate partner alteractions were associated with increased risk for more physical aggression.
A substantial minority of participants reported perpetrating overt minor aggressive acts (15-36%) or severely aggressive acts (2-22%) in the past year.
Implications for Program Leaders
Incorporate information in their classes for Service members and families on how to manage aggressive behavior in the family
Provide a list of local referral resources for Service members who display aggressive behavior
Offer support groups for children in families dealing with family violence
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend that practitioners routinely screen Service members for perpetration of aggressive behavior
Continue to support the provision of a range of services for Service members who engage in aggressive behavior
Encourage the development of supportive programs and services for family members who may be affected by physical aggression by Service members
Methods
Soldiers from two units completed an anonymous paper survey six months after return from deployment with an 89% response rate.
Surveys assessed aggressive behavior, alcohol and behavioral health issues, military factors, and combat experiences.
Associations between behavioral issues, aggressive behavior, alcohol use, and combat exposure were examined.
Participants
The sample included 6,128 U.S. Army Soldiers (91% male).
Soldiers were 66% White, 13% Latino, 11% Black, 4% Asian American, and 5% another race/ethnicity; they were primarily married (55%) or single (33%), although some were separated (5%) or divorced (6%).
The sample was 91% enlisted, and 68% had been previously deployed.
Limitations
The data are cross-sectional, and causal conclusions are inappropriate.
As only one Army sample was surveyed, the extent to which the results generalize to all Army Service members or other branches of the military is unknown.
The data were all self-report and may be subject to bias; in particular, participants may have under-reported aggressive behavior due to social undesirability.
Avenues for Future Research
Conduct a similar study among Service members from all military branches
Utilize other measures to examine aggression among Service members who have been deployed (e.g., supervisors’ evaluations, spouse or partner report)
Explore the rates and associated risk and protective factors for other forms of aggression (e.g., sexual, emotional) among military families
Focus
Army
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
There are a growing number of studies that have approximated levels of aggression and associated outcomes among combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan using brief screening assessments. However, further research to evaluate the relative role of combat exposures and overt physical behaviors is required to further elucidate potential associations between military service, combat deployment, and overt physical aggression. The purpose of the current study was to assess the prevalence of self-reported physical aggression in a sample of US Army soldiers using an adaptation of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2), and examine factors associated with higher levels of aggression. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a single US Army Installation within a sample of active duty US Army soldiers (n = 6,128) from two large units. Anonymous surveys were collected 6 months following deployment to measure overt aggressive behaviors, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury, and misuse of alcohol. There were a relatively higher number of minor and severe physical overt aggressive actions reported among soldiers who previously deployed, notably highest among deployed soldiers reporting the highest levels of combat intensity. Soldiers screening positive for the misuse of alcohol were also significantly more likely to report relatively higher levels of physical aggression. This study quantified overt aggressive behaviors and associated factors, showing increasing combat exposures may result in increased physical aggression. Clinicians treating service members returning from combat may consider assessing relative levels of combat.
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