Longitudinal investigation of coping and its impact on self-esteem in the context of military training at the Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras – AMAN
Coping; Self-esteem; Cadet health and well-being; Military Training
This study investigates self-esteem and coping longitudinally across four years of training at the Agulhas Negras Military Academy (AMAN). Efforts were made to better understand how the listed variables evolve in response to the curricular challenges faced by cadets. Self-efficacy was measured using the Perceived General Self-Efficacy Scale (PGSS) and coping using the Toulousian Coping Scale (TSC), both of which have been validated at AMAN. The study investigated the evolution of these variables among approximately 400 cadets from the same class. The overall objective was to compare these variables by year of training. A total of 215 cadets participated in the study, 772 (89.8%) men and 88 (10.2%) women. Data were collected over the four years of training for the class in question. Participants were from the seven training courses offered by AMAN (Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Communications, Engineering, Ordnance, and Quartermaster). The results showed significant changes in self-esteem, control, and social distraction. Discussions focused on changes that occurred during the course. Data were also analyzed each year based on the cadet's tercile and whether there were changes over the years. Intervention programs and additional studies are suggested to address cases where there was a decrease in variables positively associated with cadet well-being.