A REVIEW OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN INDIAN AIR FORCE
Transcript of A REVIEW OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN INDIAN AIR FORCE
273 | P a g e
A REVIEW OF STRESS MANAGEMENT
IN INDIAN AIR FORCE
Gulab1, Dr. Sandhya Mehta
2
Research Scholar, Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, Punjab (India)
Deputy Director, Guru Nanak Institute of Management & Technology, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
ABSTRACT
This study is aimed to review the stress management techniques adopted by Indian Air Force for Airmen and
Senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO) i.e. person below officer rank (PBOR) based on the recommendation
of 31st parliamentary standing committee on Indian Defence Forces in 2008. The comments were taken from
both peace and field station. Research technique used was questionnaire. 60 serving Airwarrior from corporal
(with minimum service of 5 yrs.) to sergeant (with minimum service of 13 yrs.) rank were the part of this study.
Every participant filled Organizational Stress Questionnaire (OSQ), which covered 10 dimensions of stress and
a Questionnaire, which was prepared, based on the recommendations of the 31st
standing committee
considering all the Parliamentary committee on defense forces in 2008 by considering all expected situations of
stress that can arise in the forces. Research Results highlighted that increased physical activities, entertainment,
Yoga classes, counseling/ interview by superiors and others initiatives have been increased from unit to unit
depending upon the initiatives taken by the senior leaders at wing/ station/ lodger units/ local levels. Leave
policy is liberalized at larger/ main formations like wing/ stations but at smaller independent units/ lodger units
in peace or field areas, leave liberty depends upon unit commanding officer (CO) and other officers. Use of
redessal of grievances Mechanism (ROG) and Facility of open interviews are the dimensions not commonly
used in IAF and Counseling/ Interview by Commanders depended upon the leadership of the units/ formations.
Keywords: Airmen, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), Person Below Officer Rank
(PBOR), Standing Committee, Peace & Field Stations, Commanding Officer (CO).
I. INTRODUCTION
The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest Air Force in the world, which has a highly technical and specialized
fighting force to maintain the highest levels of efficiency and operational readiness. Its primary role is to secure
Indian Airspace during peace and war. The Air Forces all over the world
operates most advanced equipment‟s and Indian Air Force (IAF) is no exception. Any Air force relies on two
strong pillars i.e. the best Airwarrior and most advanced machines. However, these most advanced machines
will be available to all of us as Aviation technology is changing at a very rapid rate but to cope with these
machines, we require effective and efficient man behind them. Therefore, men in blue remain the key asset of
274 | P a g e
the IAF. Apart from technology, there is a no. of other areas as well where Airwarrior have to be always ready
mentally and physically to maintain 100% operational readiness to cater any sudden requirement of the country.
Therefore, certain level of stress is always available in the work culture of defense forces. As the ground
realities all over the world regarding peace are ever changing, to counter these, armed forces also have to change
their perspective of operational readiness, which further increases stress at grass root level. It is an ever-going
process. Sometimes Major changes like Liberalization of economy, rapid Industrialization, urbanization,
increased income level and social life in civil society at national level also have their effects of armed forces.
These changes also add on the stress among personnel‟s of the fighting forces. Therefore, it is important to study
the stress available in the defense forces and to evaluate the tools adopted to counter it. This paper is trying to
fulfill this objective to review the stress management activities in Indian air force based on the recommendations
of 31st parliamentary standing committee.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
We all know that some stress in always available in all quarters of life. Understanding organizational behaviour
3rd
edition by Udai Pareek (2013) states that stress starts with frustration and ends with burn out if not used in
productive way [1-4]. That is in general sense but in defense forces, these consequences are even worse as they
engage directly on the national frontiers. According to Parsad BB, Kapadia AS, the risk may be for mental
disorders after return from combat duty [5] and as per Aggarwal A, it can be ataxia, confusion, slowing or loss
of reflexes, slurred Speech, coma, and paralysis [6]. Personality dimensions also cannot ruled out [7] Ahmad, S.,
James, J. Third handbook and other work by Pestonjee DM contributed to study stress in Indian experience
[8-10]. Apart from these, many articles on stress management in Indian defense forces also referred. Main were :
An overview of psychological factors and interventions in air combat operations by Dr Catherine Joseph,
Influence of Organizational Role Stress on Perceived Burnout among Military Aircrew by Defence Institute of
Psychological Research, DRDO, Meditation for stress reduction in Indian Army- An Experimental Study Col S
S Cheema & Col D S Grewal. Apart from these, the base of this study remains the report of 31st standing
committee on stress management in Indian defense forces. Some key notes/ observations/ recommendations of
the committee are as follows:-.
Recommendations/ Observations of the 31st Standing Committee on Defense Forces:-
(a) Stress Management in the Armed Forces
The Committee understands that the demands on the personnel of Indian Armed Forces have been increasing
over the years due to changing operational commitments of diverse nature. At the same time, they are required
to meet aspirations of their family members for a good quality life on account of rapidly changing
socio-economic conditions in the society. Undoubtedly, the inability of soldiers to solve their family problems
due to operational requirements and other constraints within which they have to work and non-fulfillment of
some of their expectations in certain cases results in enhanced negative stress leading to a variety of illnesses
and behavioral problems including suicide, fratricidal killing, early mortality or desertion from the Armed
275 | P a g e
Forces. The Committee wish to point out that besides adversely affecting the efficiency and performance of the
defense personnel due to impaired motivation, negative stress level also put additional burden on the public
exchequer in the form of man-days lost due to sickness, cost of medical treatment and loss of trained officers
and soldiers. To the utter dismay of the Committee, the Ministry of Defense have made an attempt to downplay
the magnitude of the problem by putting forth the plea that “the overall psychiatric morbidity in the Armed
Forces has been less than the national figures”. Equally specious is the plea advanced by the Ministry of
Defense that there is a rising
trend of psychiatric illnesses in our country over the last few decades and Armed Force personnel being drawn
from the same society are not immune to these influences. The Committee consider it lamentable that the
Ministry of Defense, rather than making an earnest attempt to identify the precise reasons for untimely loss of
such a large number of precious lives of trained soldiers, have taken recourse to drawing satisfaction from the
facts that such cases are on the rise in the society and the psychiatric morbidity in Armed Forces is less than the
national averages. In the opinion of the committee, this attitude of the Ministry not only displays insensitivity
towards the problem but also highlights their inaction to improve conditions in Armed Forces where soldiers
are trained enough to fight under adverse situations. The Committee trust that the Ministry of Defense would
now make a realistic assessment of the problems plaguing the Armed Forces personnel with a view to
identifying the areas needing urgent reforms in the right direction. The Committee also suggest that the
organizations from both public and private sector having expertise in the area, should be associated with such
studies so that the causes of the increasing stress are identified at its root in an independent manner and
appropriate solutions found to remedy the situation. The Committee would like to be apprised of the precise
action taken in this regard.
(b) Study Reports on Stress Management
The Committee regret to point out that one copy each of the only two Reports relating to suicide and fratricide
and on stress management was made available marked as Secret. The Committee wonder why reports of these
studies should not be made public which do not appear to contain any thing sensitive or strategic. Such studies
can yield desired results only if the reports are made public and there is concerted action by all concerned. The
Committee, therefore, suggest that the veil of secrecy should be removed from such studies and the reports
placed in public domain.
(c) Causes of Stress
The studies on stress management in the Armed Forces have identified certain causative factors for stress which
are broadly classifiable under the three categories namely, socio-economic including familial reasons,
environmental/ organizational and medical/psychological causes. The Committee is in no doubt that after
having identified these specific causative factors for stress among the Armed Forces personnel, the Ministry of
Defense have not contemplated multipronged strategies to address the problems of negative stress behaviour of
different ranks in the Armed Forces. Though certain remedial measures have recently been initiated at the
Service Headquarter level and by the Ministry to manage stress among the Defense personnel, the Committee
feel convinced that much is still left to be desired to address the organizational issues like better manpower
276 | P a g e
management, provisions for better amenities and conducive climate to counter negative thinking among the
Defense service personnel at the lower ranks so as to minimize the undesirable consequences of stress in the
Armed Forces in the long run.
They trust that the Ministry of Defense would at least now realise the gravity of the problem in all its
ramifications and take expeditious steps to bring about perceptible improvement in the prevailing situation.
(d) Inter Personal relationship
Another major reason for stress in the Armed Forces relates to conflict in interpersonal relationships. The
Committee have been informed that the Armed Forces Community has a culture of its own, where sense of
belonging and responsibility are cultivated in an individual to display camaraderie. Admittedly, the existing
mechanism in this regard needs to be strengthened because of fresh environment of stress and strain. Needless to
say that the JCOs and the officers posted at the unit/platoon level have to be sensitized towards the needs of
the soldiers both as an individual and group. This assumes greater importance as the soldiers now being
inducted in the Armed Forces possess a higher educational level. Steps should also be taken to impart necessary
training to all these ranks with a view to making them a source of guidance and assistance for the soldiers. The
Committee also feel that appropriate training is also needed to change the mindset of senior officers in the
Armed Forces. They trust that appropriate improvements in the existing system will be made without any further
loss of time to ensure better interaction between Armed Forces personnel of different ranks. The soldiers should
be encouraged to share their problems with their seniors and emphasis must be laid on redressal of their genuine
grievances.
III. NEED OF THE STUDY
Many research on the stress management of defense forces have been done but dedicated research from the
perspective of lower level Air warriors i.e. Airmen & Sergeants of Indian defense forces is not available. This
study is to bridge this gap.
IV. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Scope of this study is centered around lower level Air warriors i.e. Airmen & Sergeants (SNCO) in Indian Air
Force only on the basis of 31st Standing committee recommendations. Due to this, there will be certain
limitations of this study.
V. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
(i) To study the effects of 31st standing committee on stress management in in IAF.
(ii) Which recommendations of the committee are satisfactorily implemented in IAF.
(iii) To study the present Occupational Stress among airmen & SNCOs in IAF.
277 | P a g e
(iv) Which dimension contributes as a major source to present day occupational stress of Airmen & SNCOs in
IAF.
VI. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
(i) Research Design used in this research will be Single Cross-sectional Descriptive type research design.
(ii) Approach of this research will be qualitative in nature, as it will be dealing with the study of the behavioral
aspects of the respondents.
(iii) Indian Air Force will be the Sampling unit of this research and sampling population will be the personals
(Airmen & SNCOs) posted in the field and peace units of Indian Air Force.
(iv) 60 Airmen & SNCOs of the larger and smaller formations from field and peace units will be selected for this
research. Selection will be based on three aspects i.e. their Trade (i.e. Technical & Non-Technical), Rank (i.e.
Airmen & SNCOs) and place of work (Wing/ Station or Lodger units). Firstly, Based on trade, 35 Technical and
25 Non-Technical Trades air warriors, Secondly, based on rank, 30 Airmen and 30 SNCOs and thirdly, based on
place of work, 30 from wind/ station & 30 from lodger units of field areas will be selected. (v) Multistage
stratified Random Sampling Technique will be used for the targeted sample. Initially random sampling technique
will be applied for selection of field and peace units from all the operational commands of IAF and then the larger
(Wing/ station) and smaller formation (Lodger units) will be selected randomly. From the selected formations (i.e.
Larger & smaller) from field & peace areas, stratified sampling technique will be used to select the sample size
based on their trades and Rank.
(vi) Primary data will be collected with the help of research instruments for stress (Occupational Role stress scale
by Udai Pareek (1983) and a questionnaire of 10 dimensions was prepared based on the recommendations of the
31st standing committee considering all the expected situations which arise in the forces. Secondary data will be
collected from books written by IAF leaders, Published material from Journals, internet and IAF web (AF Net)
and magazines.
6.1 Details of the tools/ scales to be used for research
(a) Occupational Role stress scale (ORS-S) by Udai Pareek (1983): This tool is selected based on its vast
applicability for studying stress and it will be sufficient to cover all aspects of this research. It is a 5-point scale (0
to 4), containing five items for each role stress and a total of 50 statements. It covers ten dimensions of stress:
Inter-role Distance (IRD), Role Stagnation (RS), Role Expectation Conflict, (REC), Role Erosion (RE), Role
Overload (RO), Role Isolation (RI), Personal Inadequacy (PI), Self-Role Distance (SRD), Role Ambiguity (RA)
and Resource Inadequacy (RIN). Reliability & Validity of the test is established.
(b) Based on the recommendations of 31st standing committee, a questionnaire was framed (feasibility study
done) to measure the changes occurred before and after the committee‟s recommendation. 10 dimensions were
chosen. These were liberalization of leave, Response of open forums, Use of redressal of grievances
Mechanism, Facility of open interviews, Welfare meetings, Promotion of sports, recreational facilities and Yoga,
psychological counselors at stations, Counseling/Interview with Commanders, „Buddy‟ concept. A 30 statements
questionnaire which was framed consisted 2 to 4 question each for every dimension. It is rated on 5 point scale
278 | P a g e
and participants were given 20 min time for their responses.
(vi) IBM SPSS 20.0 was the Statistical tool used for analyzing and interpretation of the collected data to find
out any relationship between objectives.
VII. HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
(i) H01 There is no effect of 31st standing committee on stress management in in IAF.
(ii) HA1 There is a significant effect of 31st standing committee on stress management in in IAF.
(iii) H02 There is no recommendations of the committee satisfactorily implemented in IAF.
(iv) HA2 All the recommendations of the committee are satisfactorily implemented in IAF.
(v) H03 There is no significant Occupational Stress present among airmen & SNCOs in IAF.
(vi) HA3 There is significant Occupational Stress present among airmen & SNCOs in IAF.
(vii) H04 There is no single dimension contribute as a major source to present day occupational stress of Airmen
& SNCOs in IAF.
(vii) HA4 There are many dimension contribute as a major source to present day occupational stress of Airmen &
SNCOs in IAF.
Age data of the respondents
Mean N Std. Deviation
28.00 60 6.767
Education Data of respondents
Education Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
10+2 20 34.0 34.0 34.0
GRADUATE 26 43.3 43.3 77.3
PG 13 21.0 21.0 98.3
PHD 1 1.7 1.7 100.0
Total 60 100.0 100.0
Data : Place of posting of respondents
Place of Posting Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
LODGER 30 50.0 50.0 50.0
STATION 15 25.0 25.0 75.0
WING 15 25.0 25.0 100.0
Total 60 100.0 100.0
279 | P a g e
VIII. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The demographical data of the selected sample is as shown below; Mean of their ages is 28.00 with standard
deviation of 6.767. Education and place of posting data is as projected below- In the implementation of 31st
parliamentary committee recommendations, it was observed that five dimensions were having standard
deviation < 0.5 and rest five dimensions were having S.D >0.5. Use of redressal of grievance, Liberalization of
leave, open interviews, counselling by commanders
and buddy concept are the dimensions with S.D > 0.650 and require relook in implementation. Implementation
of 31st parliamentary committee recommendations was observed at average satisfaction level. Promotion of
sports, welfare meetings, recreational activities & Yoga are implemented well.
Table 3 gives the overview of scores and standard deviations of 10 dimensions adopted based
on the 31st standing committee recommendations.
Descriptive Statistics
10 Dimensions of Questionnaire N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
Liberalization of Leave 60 2 4 2.60 .669
Response to Open forum 60 2 3 2.20 .406
Use of redressal of grievances 60 1 3 1.83 .740
Open interviews 60 2 4 2.72 .691
Welfare meetings 60 3 4 3.33 .312
Promotion of sports 60 3 4 3.83 .367
Recreational activities & Yoga 60 3 4 3.67 .317
Psychological counsellors 60 3 4 3.52 .345
Counselling/ interview by
Commanders 60 1 3 2.07 .756
Buddy concept 60 1 4 2.40 .741
Implementation of 31st
Parliamentary Report 60 2 4 2.98 .792
Valid N (list wise) 60
Overview of Implementation of 31st parliamentary report on defense forces 2008
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid
Dissatisfied 16 26.7 26.7 26.7
Average 32 53.3 53.3 80.0
Satisfied 9 15.0 15.0 95.0
Very Satisfied 3 5.0 5.0 100.0
Total 60 100.0 100.0
280 | P a g e
In the Pie chart above, 53.3% of sample sizes were average satisfied with the implementation of 31st
parliamentary committee recommendations.
Descriptive Statistics of OSQ by U Pareek (1983): It highlighted Role erosion and resource inadequacy
as two main stressors along with role overload. These three dimensions were remained main factors of
stress in IAF for the Air warriors upto the rank of sergeants.
Descriptive Statistics
10 dimensions of OSQ N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
Inter role distance(IRD) 60 1 3 1.80 .576
Role Stagnation (RS) 60 1 3 2.37 .610
Role Expectation Conflict,
(REC) 60 2 4 2.68 .624
Role Erosion (RE) 60 2 4 3.15 .755
Role Overload (RO) 60 3 5 3.87 .650
Role Isolation (RI) 60 1 4 2.47 .623
Personal Inadequacy (PI) 60 1 3 1.50 .597
Self-Role Distance (SRD) 60 1 3 2.05 .565
Role Ambiguity (RA) 60 3 5 3.75 .628
Resource Inadequacy (RIN) 60 2 5 3.60 .785
OCCUSTRESS ROLE
STRESS 60 2 5 3.42 .696
Valid N (list wise) 60
281 | P a g e
Pictorial representation in the form of bar diagrams for these three dimensions with
Mean and S.D. is shown in the four bar diagrams as mentioned below:-
282 | P a g e
Bar diagram of OSQ shows mean of 3.42 and standard deviation as 0.696 which shows the availability
of occupational stress in present day environment in the force.
283 | P a g e
IX. CONCLUSION
It is concluded that Buddy‟ concept and Facility of open interviews are the dimensions on which level of
satisfaction is not so high as compared to Response of open forum, Welfare meetings, Promotion of sports,
increase in recreational facilities, use of Yoga, availability of psychological counselors at stations and
Counseling/ Interview with Commanders. From the questionnaire based on 31st standing report, it is evident that
more thrust is given to Physical exercises, Yoga, Recreational activities, Counseling‟s. Availability of
Psychological counselors is reported in mostly all the stations/ units. On the other hand, same perspective is not
seen in case of Liberalization of leave, Use of redessal of grievances Mechanism, Counseling/ Interview with
Commanders, „Buddy‟ concept and Facility of open interviews. It is observed that leave is Liberalized in mostly
larger formations like Wing, Stations but not in smaller units. Secondly, Use of redessal of grievances
Mechanism is very rare. Thirdly, Facility of open interviews is not very appreciated by superiors at smaller
formations. Fourthly, willingness for „Buddy‟ concept is lacking among the newcomer in service as well as at
supervisory level. From OSQ by Udai Pareek, Role overload, Role erosion and Resource inadequacy are the
main source of stress at lower level where as other dimensions are maintained. This research was conducted
with limited sample base. In view of it, further study with large sample base with equal representation from all
the command is suggested for reassurance of the outcome.
X. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The researcher would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all the participants of Indian Air Force for participating
in this study and extending their valuable input.
REFERENCES
[1] Pareek U, Understanding Organizational behaviour 3rd
edition, New Delhi, Oxford Press
[2] Pareek, U. Inter-role exploration: In J W. Pteiffer & J E. Jones(Eds.), The1976 annual handbook for group
facilitators .San Diego, CA: University Associates, 1976.
[3] Pareek, U. Training instruments in HRD and OD. Bombay: Tata McGraw hill
[4]. Pareek (1993). Making organizational roles effective. New Delhi. Tata McGraw Hill
[5] Parsa BB, Kapadia AS. Stress in Air Force aviators facing the combat environment. Aviation Space
Environ Med 1997; 68 (12): 1088-92.
[6] Agarwal, A. Stress in military aviation in India. Indian Journal of Aerospace Medicine 1998, vol. 42, No. 1,
pp. 20-23
[7] Ahmad, S., James, J., Ahmad, S. Organizational role stress: a psychological study of middle managers.
Journal of Personality and Clinical Studies 1991, vol. 7, No. 1, pp: 43-48.
[8] Pestonjee, D.M. A study of role stress in top and middle management. RePEc:iim:iimawp:749, 1988.
[9] Pestonjee, D.M. A study of role stress in relationship to Type-A and anger. RePEc:iim:iimawp:670, 1987.
284 | P a g e
[10]. Pestonjee (1991). DIH. Stress and coping: The Indian Experience. New Delhi: Sage.
[11] Misra, N., Sahu, K. Burnout and role stress among teachers. Indian Journal of Behavior, 1993, vol. 17, No.
3, pp. 19-26.
ARTICLES ON INTERNET
[1]. Standing committee on defence (2008-2009) (fourteenth Lok Sabha), ministry of defence, stress
management in armed forces, thirty first report, Lok Sabha secretariat, new Delhi, October, 2008/ Asvina,
1930 (Saka)
[2]. An overview of psychological factors and interventions in air combat operations by Dr Catherine Joseph*
IJASM 2007; 51(2): 1-16
[3]. Challenges of Man Management and Combat Stress in LIC Environment by Brig JARKEN GAMLIN
www.claws.in
[4]. Meditation for stress reduction in Indian Army- An Experimental Study Col S S Cheema1& Col D S
Grewal2 IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668.
Volume 10, Issue 2 (May. - Jun. 2013), PP 27-37 www.iosrjournals.org
[5]. Influence of Organizational Role Stress on Perceived Burnout among Military Aircrew by Kalpna Anand,
YK Nagle, Nishi Misra, Shivani Dangi, Defence Institute of Psychological Research, DRDO, Delhi.
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013 1 ISSN
2250-3153
[6]. WORK PLACE STRESS & SUICIDE: A STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO PUBLIC SECTOR
ORGANISATION DR. MAMTA JAIN*; REETIKA BHATIA**; DR. T.N.MATHUR*** International
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol.2 Issue 7, July 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
[7]. Effect of Yoga Practices on Occupational Stress among Indian Army Personnel By Raju Adhikari