Stress, Wellness, and Mattering among Cadets at West Point: Factors Affecting a Fit and Healthy Force

This study was designed to provide information to assist in planning health promotion and wellness programs for military trainees. During their first semester at West Point, 179 cadets completed measures of holistic wellness, perceived stress, and mattering. The highest wellness scores were in areas of social support, physical wellness, and humor. Significant negative correlations were found between perceived stress and work, realistic beliefs, and stress management. Significant positive correlations resulted between 17 wellness scales and mattering. t tests revealed only one area, work wellness, where the norm group scores exceeded those of the cadets. Cadets' scores exceeded norm group scores for perceived wellness, mattering, and seven of the Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle scales, including total self-direction. Within-group differences were identified based on gender, for four of the self-direction factors, and for age on the dimension of self-care. Implications for health promotion and wellness from the perspective of holistic wellness are considered.