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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

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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

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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

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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.

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(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

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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

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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

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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

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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:-

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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.

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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.

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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