Psychological Well-Being of Canadian Forces Officer Candidates: The Role of Personality and Coping Strategies

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that personality influences the coping strategies an individual uses to deal with stressors, which, in turn, influences psychological well-being. This study examines whether coping strategies mediate the relationship between neuroticism and the psychological well-being of Canadian Forces officer candidates undergoing basic training. Only partial evidence was found for the mediating role of coping strategies between neuroticism and psychological well-being. These findings suggest that coping strategies and personality may constitute two independent constructs, both of which have significant contributions to well-being among military personnel.

• personality
• coping strategies
• psychological well-being
• military

Notes

1 Basic officer training takes 15 weeks to complete; however, given that the survey administration took place in multiple sessions, it is not possible to report the number of weeks of training completed by the officer candidates at the time of participation in the study.