Mechanisms and coping strategies for stress of soldiers in military operational environments

In military operational environments, soldiers are frequently exposed to the combined effects of multiple stressors, whether natural, physical or psychological, which combine to impact their physiological and psychological health. This paper elaborates stress among soldiers in military operational environments in terms of manifestations, underlying mechanisms and interventions. It has been found that the primary physiological mechanisms involve the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis while psychological ones are related to cognitive appraisal and emotional regulation. Coping strategies for stress include stress assessment in soldiers, virtual reality (VR) simulation training and psychological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy and mindfulness meditation. Subsequent research should focus on the psychophysiological interactiond under specific military stressors and development of personalized intervention programs, such as adaptive VR training protocols. These advancements are crucial to enhancing psychological resilience and preserving the overall combat effectiveness of military forces.