2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

Career Intention Prior to Deployment Current
Long term service career 61.4 53.7
Serve out current enagement 14.7 13.9
Seek Corps/Branch transfer 12.8 13.8
Discharge within one year 9.6 10.3
Discharge immediately 1.5 8.3
Initial examination of this table suggests that there has been a shift in career
intentions away towards a change in career. Further examination showed that 130
respondents (7.8%) changed their career intentions and that the bulk of these (112)
changed in a “negative” direction; i.e., towards a change in career. When the direction of
career change was compared with current career intention this change proved to be
significant (chi square = 77.3; df = 4).
Comparisons
Comparisons of K10 and PCL scores across categories in the five most prevalent
traumatic events (as measured by the TSES-R) all showed significant differences and an
increase in K10 or PCL score with an increase in the frequency of the occurence of the
event. Similar comparisons across the most stressful general stressors (from the Major
Stressors Scale) also showed significant differences with an increase in scores on the
clinical scales as the reported stress of the event.
Comparison of K10, PCL, and composite TSES-R scores across current career
intentions showed significant results for both K10 and PCL, but not for TSES-R score.
For both the K10 and PCL, there was an increase in score as the category of career
intention became more oriented towards changing career.
Finally comparison of K10 and PCL scores across the number of deployments
that the member had prior to the current deployment showed no significant differences.
When current career intentions were compared across number of deployments prior to the
current one this did produce a significant difference. Examination of cell residuals,
showed that those with several deployments prior to the current one were less likely to be
seeking a change of occupation within the military, and those with one deployment prior
to the current deployment were less likely to serve out their current engagement.
DISCUSSION
Analysis of scores on the clinical scales of the RtAPS showed that the rates of
psychological distress are slightly elevated compared to the general population and the
reported levels of PTSD symptoms are low. The levels of psychological distress is
understandable given the recency of the operational experience, and could be expected to
diminish over time. The levels of PTSD symptoms, on the other hand, might be expected
to increase over time, and therefore need to be monitored. These are important markers
for the future health of the individual and, hence, the personnel component of ADF
capability.
707
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003