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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Public Health | Research

US soldiers and the role of leadership: COVID-19, mental health, and adherence to public health guidelines

Authors: Amy B. Adler, Ian A. Gutierrez, Stephanie A. Q. Gomez, Matthew R. Beymer, Theresa Jackson Santo, Jeffrey L. Thomas, David S. Cates, Amy Millikan Bell, Phillip J. Quartana

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Previous studies have documented the impact of domain-specific leadership behaviors on targeted health outcomes in employees. The goal of the present study was to determine the association between specific leadership behaviors addressing COVID-19 and US soldiers’ mental health and adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines.

Methods

An electronic, anonymous survey was administered to US Army soldiers across three major commands (N = 7,829) from December 2020 to January 2021. The primary predictor of interest was soldiers’ ratings of their immediate supervisors’ behaviors related to COVID-19. The outcomes were soldiers’ mental health (i.e., depression and generalized anxiety) and adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines. Covariates were rank, gender, ratings of immediate supervisors’ general leadership, level of COVID-19 concerns, and COVID-19 status (e.g., tested positive, became seriously ill). Logistic regressions were used to model the unique association of COVID-19 leadership behaviors with outcomes after adjusting for covariates.

Results

High levels of COVID-19 leadership behaviors were associated with lesser likelihood of soldiers’ screening positive for depression (AOR = 0.46; 95% CI [0.39, 0.54]) and anxiety (AOR = 0.54; 95% CI [0.45, 0.64]), and greater likelihood of frequent adherence to preventive health guidelines (AORs = 1.58; 95% CI [1.39, 1.80] to 2.50; 95% CI [2.01, 3.11]).

Conclusion

Higher levels of COVID-19 leadership behaviors may support soldiers’ mental health and encourage their adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines. Given the link between these leader behaviors and soldier adaptation to the pandemic over and above general leadership, training for supervisors should focus on targeting specific health-promoting behaviors. Results can inform leader training for the military and other high-risk occupations.
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Metadata
Title
US soldiers and the role of leadership: COVID-19, mental health, and adherence to public health guidelines
Authors
Amy B. Adler
Ian A. Gutierrez
Stephanie A. Q. Gomez
Matthew R. Beymer
Theresa Jackson Santo
Jeffrey L. Thomas
David S. Cates
Amy Millikan Bell
Phillip J. Quartana
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13345-z

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