Self-Mastery and Self-Esteem Among Military Service Members: An Analysis of Symptoms Across Time

Background and Purpose: Within the military there is a high prevalence of PTSD, major depressive disorder, panic syndrome, anxiety disorders and eating disorders (Riddle et al., 2007).  Military service is often correlated with the rate of suicide and mental health disorders, yet little is known about positive mental health outcomes associated with military service.

This current research explored positive mental health outcomes associated with military service.  Researchers analyzed self-esteem and self-mastery and the pattern of fluctuation across time for service members with a special focus on comparing self-esteem and self-mastery pre and post enlistment.  Researchers theorized that either the impact of pre-enlistment traits or military service would impact mental health outcomes.  First, the “Selection Effect” claims that people with higher self-esteem and self-mastery are more likely to join the military, and childhood strengths impact positive mental health outcomes.  Second, the “Military Effect” claims that military service positively impacts positive mental health outcomes more than pre-enlistment characteristics.  The results from this study could potentially contribute greater understanding of the pattern self-esteem and self-mastery across time for military service members and highlight the potential positive benefits of military service.   

Methods: We used the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 – Children and Young Adult sample for their research.  Researchers narrowed the sample to focus on military service members (n=4,430). Researchers used both OLS regressions and growth curve models to study the pattern of fluctuation for self-esteem and self-mastery across time.  Researchers used the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Pearlin Mastery Scale and Ten Item Personality Scale to measure self-esteem, self-mastery and personality characteristics across time. 

Results: The OLS regression was limited to ages 10-18 to compare the self-mastery and self-esteem of service members who would eventually enlist in the military to the general population in order to assess any differences in self-mastery or self-esteem prior to enlistment.  Results were not significant (p>.05) which illustrates that there was no significant difference in self-mastery or self-esteem between service members who would eventually enlist and the general population.  Results from the growth curve were not significant for self-mastery but significant for self-esteem.  Results indicate that each additional year enlisted in the military is associated with a .04 point increase in self-esteem (p<.01) when compared to the general public who have not enlisted in military service. The growth curve model indicated ranking high on emotionality personality traits, taking medication to control behavior and believing that life without danger is too boring all had a negative effect on self-esteem and self-mastery.

Conclusion: Researchers found no “Selection Effect”, higher self-esteem or self-mastery did not increase the likelihood of enlistment.  Researchers found a “Military Effect” for self-esteem, service members experience an increase in self-esteem with each additional year of military service. Additionally, taking medications to control behavior negatively impacted both self-esteem and self-mastery. Results highlight that service members experience positive mental health outcomes associated with military service.  Military professionals, clinicians and researchers should study the positive mental health outcomes associated with military service.