Prediction of Air Force Adaptability of Basic Airmen Referred for Psychiatric Evaluation

摘要

About 4000 basic airmen are referred to the Mental Hygiene Clinic each year. Less than one-fourth of these complete successful enlistment terms. In this study, data from enlistment records, basic training, and clinic referral were collected and analyzed to identify predictors of success within this psychiatric referral group. Keying 24 items from clinical records resulted in scores which correlated .55 with the criterion of Air Force success. Regression equations were derived to show increased efficiency of prediction from adding the mental hygiene data to other predictors of success. Distributions of the mental hygiene scores illustrate possible use of a cutting score for early identification of mental hygiene referrals not likely to successfully complete an Air Force tour.