Disposition Decisions in U.S. Air Force Basic Trainees Assessed During Mental Health Evaluations

Abstract

A small but significant percentage of people entering the U.S. Air Force are evaluated during Basic Military Training for mental-health-related issues. These trainees are referred for mental health evaluation for various reasons related to their adjustment to the training environment or past history. Many variables may contribute to the disposition decisions made by the psychologists concerning these new recruits during the evaluation process. However, the specific variables that distinguish different groups have not been systematically studied, and the decision-making process has not been operationally defined. The purpose of this study was to develop empirically derived profiles of the 4 trainee disposition groups that distinguished trainees needing hospitalization due to emotional instability, those requiring immediate separation from the Air Force but did not need hospitalization, those who required administrative separation from the Air Force but did not necessitate immediate care or removal, and those who were typically returned to duty although temporarily distressed. Eight variables that contributed to classification decisions in 86% to 90% of trainees were identified. Several key variables that were previously believed to be highly influential in the decision-making process were revealed to be noncontributory to classification. Specific results and the possible application of these findings are discussed further.