POLISH VALIDATION OF TWO MEASURES OF SOLDIERS’ STRESSFUL EXPERIENCES: THE COMBAT EXPOSURE SCALE AND THE DIFFICULT LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
POLISH VALIDATION OF TWO MEASURES OF SOLDIERS’ STRESSFUL EXPERIENCES: THE COMBAT EXPOSURE SCALE AND THE DIFFICULT LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Summary/Abstract: This study aimed to validate two questionnaires, the Combat Exposure Scale (CES) and theDifficult Living and Working Environment (DLWE), for Polish soldiers deployed during theResolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan. A prospective cross-sectional study wasconducted twice during the final peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, at the beginning andthe end of the 2021 deployment. The Polish Military Contingent consisted of 71 soldiers,ranging in age from 26 to 50 (M = 38.75, SD = 6.45). Construct validity was examined usingconfirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while criterion validity was assessed using Pearson’scorrelations with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symp-toms, self-rated physical health, and life satisfaction, and also using the repeated measures ofStudent’s t-test. The structure of both scales presented an adequate fit to the data for a one-factor model, strong internal consistency, test-retest stability, appropriate psychometric prop-erties, and criterion validity. The CES and DLWE correlated positively with symptoms ofPTSD, depression and anxiety, and negatively with physical health and life satisfaction. Boththe CES and the DLWE can be used as reliable and valid tools to monitor risk factors forsoldiers’ adverse physical and mental health during military missions.

• Details
• Contents