This report is one of a series designed to support Air Force leaders in promoting resilience among its Airmen, civilian employees, and Air Force families. It examines the relationship between psychological fitness and resilience, using key constructs found in the scientific literature that address address self-regulation, positive affect, perceived control, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism.

Psychological Fitness and Resilience

A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being

Sean Robson

ResearchPublished Mar 11, 2014

This report is one of a series designed to support Air Force leaders in promoting resilience among its Airmen, civilian employees, and Air Force family members. It examines the relationship between psychological fitness and resilience, using key constructs found in the scientific literature that address self-regulation, positive affect, perceived control, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism. Supporting or increasing the levels of the key measures of psychological fitness identified in this report may facilitate resilience and can protect Airmen, civilian employees, and Air Force families from the negative effects of stress. The report also reviews construct measures, well-being, and resilience outcomes as well as interventions designed to promote the psychological fitness constructs.

Key Findings

Psychological fitness is a key factor that can affect an individual's resilience and readiness to perform military duties

  • Being psychologically unfit may prevent an individual from adequately coping with the stress of military duty.
  • There is a clear relationship between psychological resources and resilience.
  • There is no single best approach for promoting psychological fitness.
  • Limited evidence suggests that stress management and psychological skills training are effective strategies for promoting psychological fitness.

Recommendations

  • Additional research is needed to determine how effective specific interventions might be within the Air Force.
  • The types of stressors commonly experienced in the Air Force should be identified.
  • The Air Force should explore opportunities to promote psychological resources that increase resilience.
  • Psychological fitness should be monitored using valid and reliable measures.

Order a Print Copy

Format
Paperback
Page count
60 pages
List Price
$19.95
Buy link
Add to Cart

Topics

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2014
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 60
  • Paperback Price: $19.95
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 978-0-8330-8076-9
  • Document Number: RR-102-AF

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Robson, Sean, Psychological Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being, RAND Corporation, RR-102-AF, 2014. As of October 7, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR102.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Robson, Sean, Psychological Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2014. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR102.html. Also available in print form.
BibTeX RIS

Research conducted by

The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Air Force and conducted by RAND Project AIR FORCE.

This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND research reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.