A secondary group level analysis of the effect of leader support on the relationship between combat exposure and post-combat aggression and violence

The purpose of this study is to test the group level effect of unit leader support on the relationship between the level of stressors in combat and the level of post-combat aggression and violence. One focus is whether unit leadership has a direct effect on the level of post-combat aggression and violence. Another focus is whether unit leadership interacts with unit combat experience and buffers the relationship between unit combat exposure and the level of unit post-combat aggression and violence. This study utilizes data from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Land Combat Study. The Land Combat Study was designed to examine the impact of combat experiences on the mental health and functioning of soldiers and their families. The sample consisted of active duty soldiers who participated in combat as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2003 and 2004. Data were aggregated to the unit level. Multiple regression analysis was employed to address the effects of unit combat exposure, unit perception of danger, and unit leader support on the level of unit post-combat aggression and violence. Results indicate that combat experience, a combination of both unit level perception of danger and unit combat exposure significantly predict a unit’s post-combat aggression and violence. The study also found the level of unit leader support buffered the level of unit combat experience and resulted in decreased levels of post-combat aggression and violence such that as unit combat exposure increased, increased levels of unit leadership decreased levels of post-combat aggression and violence. Finally, this study also found that the level of unit leader support did not significantly provide a main effect in lowering post-combat aggression and violence.