Precision Resilience: Adapting Resiliency Programs to Specialized Populations Within the U.S. Military

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Military Medicine
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Military resilience programs have expanded significantly, yet concerns exist regarding implementation and effectiveness.
• A need for personalized resilience training over "one-size-fits-all" approaches is increasingly recognized.
• This study evaluated a tailored resilience program for a military medical student population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness and participant reaction to a tailored resilience program for military medical students.
• To evaluate perceived self-efficacy, mental resilience, and willingness to recommend the training.
• To identify key takeaways and participant satisfaction with the adapted curriculum.

Main Methods:

• The Kirkpatrick model (Level 1 - reaction) was used for program evaluation.
• 156 first-year medical students across 5 cohorts participated in 4-hour resilience modules.
• Data collected via post-training surveys and qualitative analysis of open-ended responses.

Main Results:

• Consistent positive responses regarding perceived self-efficacy and mental resilience were observed across all cohorts.
• The virtual training cohort during COVID-19 reported significantly lower willingness to recommend the program.
• Participants highly valued acquiring tangible skills, clarifying values, and peer connection.

Conclusions:

• The adapted "Grit and Growth" program demonstrates a viable model for specialized military subpopulations.
• Integrating psychological skills with CBT models maintained high student satisfaction.
• Future research should explore higher-level Kirkpatrick outcomes, including behavioral and professional impacts.