Career Enhancement Training Study (USAF)

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Suicidal Ideation

Interventions: Behavioral: Stress Management
Behavioral: Wingman Connect

Registration Number: NCT04067401

Lead Sponsor: University of Rochester

Brief Summary: A study evaluating a training program to decrease risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among early career trainees in the United States Air Force.

Detailed Description: Relationship disruptions and social isolation are major precipitants for military suicides and a range of problems that impair functioning and reduce mission readiness. However, nearly all current military suicide prevention programming focuses on a narrow range of approaches for individuals already at high-risk (e.g., training to detect warning signs and refer for treatment services). This project addresses the need for universal prevention approaches to proactively strengthen protective factors across military populations, including strengthening social connectedness and skills to grow and sustain relationships across service.

The aims of this project are to (a) develop an intervention for early-career, enlisted United States Air Force personnel using an active training approach to strengthening social bonds, and (b) test the intervention (i.e., Wingman-Connect) using a randomized controlled trial design.

Wingman-Connect focuses on Airman-in-Training to build protective factors in: Kinship (healthy bonds); Guidance (support from mentors and mental health); Purpose (goals, sense of being valued and valuable); and Balance (self-care and support). Half of the training is focused on the class as a group to build belonging and shared purpose.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 1485

Inclusion Criteria

Airmen-in-Training (AiT) in Technical Training classes in the 365 or 363 Training Squadrons of the 82 Training Wing (82 TRW)
Eligible classes must be between 37-91 class days in length

Exclusion Criteria

Airmen from other countries receiving training in US
Airmen who are not in their first year of enlistment

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Stress Management	Stress Management	The control training condition will consist of a 2 hr. informational training that provides an overview of the human stress response system and strategies to manage stress. The training will be delivered through lecture format using PowerPoint, supplemented by brief videos and interactive discussion.
Wingman Connect	Wingman Connect	Wingman-Connect total training time is 5 hours, typically spread over three consecutive training 'blocks'(or days), plus 1-hour of booster training (one month later).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mean Computerized Adaptive Testing for Suicide Severity	1 month	Participants will complete a computerized adaptive test for suicide severity. Participants will answer questions about their mental health. Participant scores will range from 0-100 with 100 indicating higher likelihood of current suicidal ideation and higher risk for suicide attempt.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mean Computerized Adaptive Testing for Depression	6 months	Participants will complete a computerized adaptive test for depression. Participants will answer questions about their mental health. Participant scores will range from 0-100 with 100 indicating higher risk for clinical depression.
Mean Number of Positive Connections to Classmates	1 month	Participants will be asked to name up to 5 other students in their class who they respect and would choose to spend time with. Participants can name 0-5 classmates.
Computerized Adaptive Testing for Depression	1 month	Participants will complete a computerized adaptive test for depression. Participants will answer questions about their mental health. Participant scores will range from 0-100 with 100 indicating higher risk for clinical depression.
Mean Behavioral Occupational Performance Outcomes	1 month	Participants will complete 5 yes/no questions about job performance, including if superior has expressed concerns about work performance, if Airman has received corrective training for substandard performance, received a negative counseling statement, received a Letter of Reprimand. The sum of affirmative responses will be calculated. Scores will range from 0-5 with 5 indicating greater work impairment.
Mean Class Cohesion	1 month	Participants will complete a 3-item scale on how well members of their class cooperate, can depend on each other and stand up for each other. Scores range from 0 to 4 with higher scores indicating higher class cohesion.