Associations between Mood and Specific Health Composites during Navy Persian GulfOperations

摘要

Researchers have studied the association between mood and health symptoms becauseof concern for military personnel performance in extreme conditions, such as the heat and humidity encountered in the Persian Gulf. Previous field studies, using shipboard Navy personnel during at-sea operations in the Persian gulf have shown that crew members experience mood changes such as psychological fatigue, feelings of confusion, tension/anxiety, and depression and additionally report degradations in general physical health. Data from past research indicate that the ability to regulate mood is an important requisite for maintaining positive self-appraised health. This study provided further support for the idea of a mood-health link, and points to the usefulness of employing multiple health complaint composites rather than general measures when assessing mood-health associations. It was found that tension/anxiety and fatigue mood states differentially predicted 9 of 11 distinct health composites. Results suggest that strategies for altering mood (e.g., adequate periods of sleep, regulation of caffeine consumption, stress management training, exercise, and cognitive/behavioral interventions) might also have a positive effect on associated health complaints.