Evaluation of psychological risk factors: Prospective prediction of psychopathology during basic training

Objective: Three theoretically derived cognitive risk factors were evaluate d to determine whether they predicted the development of stress responding in the context of Basic Cadet Training (BCT), Method: A large sample of cad ets (N = 1,401) was prospectively followed for the 5-week BCT period, Resul ts: All risk factors were found to significantly and independently predict the development of psychopathology and impairment as well as changes in sym ptoms during basic training. Risk factors conveyed approximately two to fiv e times greater likelihood of experiencing clinically significant levels of symptoms at the end of BCT, Conclusions: These data provide strong evidenc e for three psychological risk factors in the development of anxiety and mo od symptoms. Implications for screening and primary prevention are discusse d.