Abstract
Evidence links the personality trait hardiness to both mental (MH) and physical health (PH) status, but few unifying models
delineate interrelationships of these variables. The first purpose of this study was to examine the association of hardiness
to MH and PH in military men. Second, we tested the hypothesis that MH would mediate the association of hardiness with PH.
Identical measures were collected in two separate, demographically-similar samples (n = 65 and n = 55). All subjects completed
a background questionnaire, the Dispositional Resilience Scale-15 and the Short Form 36 Medical Outcomes Survey. Associations
between hardiness, PH and MH were examined using regression-based mediation analyses followed by the Sobel test of indirect
effects. In the total sample, hardiness predicted PH in an initial regression model (β = 0.37, p < .001). When MH was added to the model, however, PH’s influence was substantially attenuated and no longer significant (β = 0.06,
p > .05). A Sobel test of significance confirmed a mediated effect (p < .001). Similar patterns were observed in each individual sample. Hardiness is associated with PH in military men, and this
relationship is mediated by MH.
delineate interrelationships of these variables. The first purpose of this study was to examine the association of hardiness
to MH and PH in military men. Second, we tested the hypothesis that MH would mediate the association of hardiness with PH.
Identical measures were collected in two separate, demographically-similar samples (n = 65 and n = 55). All subjects completed
a background questionnaire, the Dispositional Resilience Scale-15 and the Short Form 36 Medical Outcomes Survey. Associations
between hardiness, PH and MH were examined using regression-based mediation analyses followed by the Sobel test of indirect
effects. In the total sample, hardiness predicted PH in an initial regression model (β = 0.37, p < .001). When MH was added to the model, however, PH’s influence was substantially attenuated and no longer significant (β = 0.06,
p > .05). A Sobel test of significance confirmed a mediated effect (p < .001). Similar patterns were observed in each individual sample. Hardiness is associated with PH in military men, and this
relationship is mediated by MH.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9387-8
- Authors
- Marcus K. Taylor, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, USA
- Ricardo Pietrobon, Departments of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- John Taverniers, Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Matthew R. Leon, Operational Stress and Resilience Program, Aeromedical Research Directorate, Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Pensacola, FL, USA
- Benedict J. Fern, Operational Stress and Resilience Program, Aeromedical Research Directorate, Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Pensacola, FL, USA
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715