Evaluation of psychological risk factors: prospective prediction of psychopathology during basic training.
OBJECTIVE
Three theoretically derived cognitive risk factors were evaluated to determine whether they predicted the development of stress responding in the context of Basic Cadet Training (BCT).


METHODS
A large sample of cadets (N = 1,401) was prospectively followed for the 5-week BCT period.


RESULTS
All risk factors were found to significantly and independently predict the development of psychopathology and impairment as well as changes in symptoms during basic training. Risk factors conveyed approximately two to five times greater likelihood of experiencing clinically significant levels of symptoms at the end of BCT.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide strong evidence for three psychological risk factors in the development of anxiety and mood symptoms. Implications for screening and primary prevention are discussed.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA.
D R
DR
Lerew
N B
NB
Schmidt
R J
RJ
Jackson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States