The effect of self-esteem on combat stress in engagement: An XR simulator study

Despite the importance of combat stress, little is known about factors that alleviate stress in combat situations. Therefore, we examined the potential role of self-esteem in reducing combat stress using an extended reality (XR) simulator. We considered ninety-five soldiers involved in gunfights with the enemy under simulated engagement conditions. We analyzed their responses to self-report measures twice: before and immediately after engagement. Regression analysis showed that soldiers' self-esteem significantly mitigated their combat stress, even when they controlled other possible predictors. The results highlight the importance of self-esteem as a protective factor against combat stress on the battlefield.