| Autor: |
Nordstrand AE; Institute of Military Psychiatry, Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Oslo, Norway.; Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, AZ, USA.; Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway., Barger SD; Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, AZ, USA., Tvedt MA; Blå Kors Klinikk Lade, Trondheim, Norway., Gjerstad CL; Institute of Military Psychiatry, Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Oslo, Norway.; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway., Engen HG; Institute of Military Psychiatry, Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Oslo, Norway.; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway., Adler AB; Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background: Soldiers in combat may experience acute stress reactions (ASRs) in response to trauma. This can disrupt function, increasing both immediate physical danger and the risk for post-trauma mental health sequelae. There are few reported strategies for managing ASRs; however, recent studies suggest a novel peer-based intervention as a promising approach. Objectives: This study assesses the feasibility of ReSTART training, a peer-based course designed to prepare soldiers to manage ASRs. ReSTART builds on programmes established by US and Israeli militaries. The current study evaluates the ReSTART programme in a Norwegian setting, across distinct groups of soldiers, professionals and conscripts. Methods: Participants included professional soldiers deploying to Mali and conscripts with 6 months of service, who completed the ReSTART training course and surveys administered pre- and post-training. These surveys assessed attitudes and programme acceptability. Analyses included 74 soldiers who provided complete survey responses. Results: ReSTART training received high ratings in terms of usefulness, relevance, and importance in managing ASRs. From pre- to post-training, respondents had significant increases in positive attitudes towards ASR management and confidence in handling ASRs personally, and at the unit level; decreases in stigma-related attitudes associated with ASRs; and increased perception of leadership emphasizing ASR management. Conclusions: ReSTART training shows potential as an effective tool when preparing soldiers to manage ASRs in high-risk environments, enhancing military units' capacity to support each other and effectively respond to stress-induced functional disruptions. This study adds evidence supporting the utility of peer-based ASR management in operational settings and highlights the need for broader implementation and systematic evaluation. |
