Vigor predicting health outcomes in a high risk occupational context

ABSTRACT

Feelings of vigor are associated with positive consequences in the work place but these relationships have not yet been assessed in a high-risk occupational context. The current study assessed the relationships between feelings of vigor on physical health symptoms, functional impairment, and depression symptoms among U.S. service members who recently returned from a combat deployment. U.S. service members were asked to complete questionnaires at 2 time points. Significant positive correlations were found between combat experiences and the 3 outcomes. Significant negative correlations were found for feelings of vigor and each outcome. Regression analyses indicated a significant effect for feelings of vigor such that higher feelings of vigor at Time 1 predicted better physical health and fewer depression symptoms at Time 2. There was no significant effect for functional impairment. Results demonstrate the potential importance of maintaining or improving feelings of vigor throughout the work day, especially for those with high risk occupations.

KEYWORDS:

• Vigor
• physical health
• functional impairment
• depression symptoms

Acknowledgments

We thank Jennifer Auchterlonie, Laura Bean, Kristina Clarke-Walper, Rachel Eckford, Charles W. Hoge, Ashley Inbody, Paul Kim, Brian Kok, Carla Kreilein, Nadia Marroquin, Julie Merrill, Randall Mills, Michael A. Pickering, Leonard Skipper, Robin L. Toblin, Sean E. Wisneiski, Michael Wood, Kristin Young for their research support.