What can teams and peers do with an acute stress reaction of a team member in high pressure/ high-stakes operations? And what about long term interventions like mindfulness, yoga and mental skills training? Dr. Amy Adler is a clinical research psychologist and senior scientist with the Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Dr. Adler has authored more than 170 articles and chapters, and edited/co- edited seven books, including Deployment Psychology (American Psychological Association, 2011) and Anger at Work (American Psychological Association, 2021). Dr. Adler’s research interests include developing easily-fielded emotion regulation techniques and assessing the role of mindfulness training in military units. She has also initiated a series of studies examining behavioral health leadership and iCOVER, training for peer-based management of acute stress in high-stakes operations.
Militaries around the world are invested in ensuring that their service members are capable of functioning in stressful environments. Yet there are times when service members may be so overwhelmed by mental stress that they are unable to function, placing themselves and their teams in further danger. In that case, it becomes crucial for teams to be prepared to respond effectively. In this conversation we talk about methods in which teams are trained to intervene with service members experiencing an acute stress reaction (ASR).
Topics
Introduction of Dr. Amy Adler
Effects of war on communities and service members.
Positive and Negative Impacts of Combat
Resilience can be both returning to baseline and post-traumatic growth.
Definition of Combat Stress and Acute Stress Reaction (ASR)
Development of Interest in Acute Stress Reaction
Differences Between ASR and Choking in Sports
Observing Acute Stress Reaction in the Field
Recognizing signs of acute stress reaction and research into soldiers’ experiences.
The I-COVER Protocol
Explanation of the I-COVER protocol for managing acute stress reaction: Identify, Connect, Offer Commitment, Verify Facts, Establish Order of Events, and Request Action.
Research on Frequency of Acute Stress Reactions
Relevance to Law Enforcement and Police Studies
Prevention and Recovery: Combat Stress Reaction and PIES Principles
Leader-Led Debriefing and Combat Path Debriefing
Research into Psychological Debriefing
Long-Term Interventions : Sleep, Social Cohesion, and Mindfulness
Mindfulness Training and Yoga in the Military
Results from studies showing positive impacts of mindfulness and yoga on injury, pain, and performance.
Mental Skills Training in the Military
Challenges and considerations in studying mental skills in real combat environments.
Future Research Projects
Final Thoughts on Scientific Research and Literature
Importance of balancing scientific data and personal experience for practical applications in military psychology.
Video
Audio
Research
Adler, A. B., & Gutierrez, I. A. (2022). Acute Stress Reaction in Combat: Emerging Evidence and Peer-Based Interventions. Current psychiatry reports, 24(4), 277–284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01335-2
Adler, A. B., Gutierrez, I. A., McCuaig Edge, H., Nordstrand, A. E., Simms, A., & Willmund, G. D. (2024). Peer-based intervention for acute stress reaction: adaptations by five militaries. BMJ military health, 170(5), 425–429. https://doi.org/10.1136/military-2022-002344
Adler, A. B., Svetlitzky, V., & Gutierrez, I. A. (2020). Post-traumatic stress disorder risk and witnessing team members in acute psychological stress during combat. BJPsych open, 6(5), e98. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2020.81
Nassif, T. H., Adrian, A. L., Gutierrez, I. A., Dixon, A. C., Rogers, S. L., Jha, A. P., & Adler, A. B. (2023). Optimizing Performance and Mental Skills With Mindfulness-Based Attention Training: Two Field Studies With Operational Units. Military medicine, 188(3-4), e761–e770. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab380
Nassif, T. H., Gutierrez, I. A., Smith, C. D., Jha, A. P., & Adler, A. B. (2023). The Effect of a Combined Mindfulness and Yoga Intervention on Soldier Mental Health in Basic Combat Training: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6869543