title: In the shadow of the Gulf war: psychological distress, social support and coping among Israeli soldiers in a high risk area.
abstract: This study assessed the sense of safety, psychiatric symptomatology, coping and sources of support among eight groups of soldiers stationed in the region at highest risk for missile attacks during the Persian Gulf war. The sample consisted of 659 regular, reserve, and career soldiers, both male and female. Findings show that elevated levels of distress were associated with a high level of perceived threat, a low level of perceived self-efficacy, a low level of trust in army authorities, and a low level of support from the social network, particularly from commanding officers. Practical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Margalit
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waysman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bleich
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008889:Military Personnel; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011340:Problem Solving; D012449:Safety; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014857:Warfare