Multilevel Analysis of Cohesion's Relation to Stress, Well-Being, Identification, Disintegration, and Perceived Combat Readiness

Abstract

Using hierarchical linear modeling, the relation of cohesion to well-being, identification, disintegration, and perceived individual and group combat readiness was examined simultaneously at the individual, soldier level and at the group, company level. Enlisted soldiers (N = 7,892) who were members of 104 combat arms companies responded to questionnaire items (75% response rate) concerning their military experiences. Variance in the study outcomes was explained for the most part by individual soldier reports of cohesion rather than soldier reports of cohesion when grouped by company. In addition, cohesion's moderating effect on the relations of stress to study outcomes was observed at the individual, soldier level. Results were consistent with the notion that soldiers' experience of supportive unit leadership and cooperative peer relations, both individually and as a group, build their identification with the unit, lessen the likelihood of their leaving the unit and the Army, and enhance their perceptions of combat readiness. Results and future directions for research are discussed in relation to findings in military and organizational psychology literatures.