PERSONAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO ARMY RANK
Abstract
1. A group of non-commissioned officers of rank technician fourth grade or higher hospitalized for psychiatric disorder, compared to a group of controls of similar rank, showed a greater frequency of family history of neurosis and neurotic manifestations prior to service, slightly less length of service, a lower educational level, and were rated less frequently as sociable and more frequently as unstable.
2. Sergeants with psychiatric disorders differed from other enlisted men with similar conditions in having a higher educational level, greater length of service, more frequent ratings as sociable and less as unstable. The two groups did not differ significantly in frequency of family history of neurosis or previous neurotic manifestations.
3. The majority of both neurotic and psychotic casualties among sergeants were considered to have been incurred in line of duty, and the proportion of service-connected psychiatric disability was greater for sergeants than other enlisted men. This suggests that situational factors, as contrasted with historical ones, were more important causes of psychiatric disability in sergeants than other enlisted men.
4. An outstanding cause of emotional disturbance in sergeants was the fear of failure in men who had been over-dependent on success and approval to allay anxiety.
5. Threats to personal security included:
a. Physical disability in men who overvalued their bodies as means to success.
b. Loss of approval, often with threat of demotion.
c. Promotion to leadership positions of men who felt inadequate to this responsibility.
d. Assignment of specialists to work for which they are not trained.
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