Relationship of professional success and development of cognitive mental processes and personal qualities of Vietnam Naval specialists

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INTRODUCTION

Naval specialists of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) provide contract services and engage in professional activities on modern Russian-made ships and submarines. The management, operation, and maintenance of this complex equipment and weaponry require servicemen to possess high levels of intellectual, psychophysiological, and personal qualities. The fulfillment of military professional activities by naval submarine specialists involves high psychological and physiological loads because of the extreme responsibility and potential consequences of errors or emergencies. The Russian Navy has developed a system and methodology for professional psychological selection (PPS) and psychological (psychophysiological) support for naval specialists. This system is implemented during primary training in naval universities and stages of military professional adaptation during service on ships and submarines. Currently, the SRV Navy lacks a PPS system for contracted military service. This poses a significant challenge in maintaining high levels of motivation for continued service in the SRV Navy. Currently, no systematic measures have been made to assess the functional state of naval officers during military professional adaptation, including the periods before, during, and after their time at sea.

Modernization of the SRV Navy necessitates improving the quality of training, efficiency, and reliability of naval specialists who enter military service under contract. This will ensure that crews are fully staffed with specialists who can manage, operate, and maintain the technically complex systems of modern ships and submarines. The effectiveness of professional activity is closely related to PPS, psychological suitability, and military professional adaptation. These are components of a complex stage process of medical and psychological support of activity [1].

The habitability and service conditions of a submarine are influenced by various stress factors that affect navy specialists. These factors include prolonged confinement, hypokinesia, lack of daylight, shift work, closed teamwork, and high costs of errors [2]. In addition, submariners must fulfill increased requirements for professional training, competencies, physical health, and psychophysiological and psychological qualities [3, 4]. The level of technology in modern equipment may exceed human psychophysiological capabilities, giving them the ability to quickly adapt to new means of control a vital quality [5, 6]. The degree of tension in the activity of naval specialties among shipboard personnel reflects the load on the central nervous system, sensory organs, and emotional and intellectual spheres of the worker and is estimated to be high or very high¹. The success of a specialist’s professional activity and performance is largely based on the degree to which their psychological, psychophysiological, and physiological parameters align with the demands of their work. If a specialist is not professionally suitable, the activity’s price increases significantly. Constant overstrained of adaptation systems decreases professional performance, reliability, and efficiency of professional activity [7–9].

The need to study psychological and psychophysiological processes affecting the success of professional activity and determine the criteria of professional psychological suitability of navy specialists is determined by the existence of a direct relationship between these processes and effectiveness. The optimization of training and further professional activity was based on research [10, 11].

This study aimed to assess the cognitive mental processes and personality traits of SRV Navy specialists and their correlation with military professional success.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study involved 53 naval specialists from the SRV Navy to investigate their military professional motivation, cognitive mental processes (including memory, attention, and thinking), and emotional and volitional regulation (neuropsychiatric stability [NPS]). The study employed the military professional motivation (MPM) questionnaire and the multilevel personality questionnaire (MPQ) “adaptability” [12] as methodological tools. Cognitive functions such as thinking peculiarities, spatial relations, accuracy of visual perception of distances, and distribution and switching of attention and working memory were evaluated. The S-test, coordinates, finding numbers with switching, and figures methods [13] were used for the evaluation. The methodologies for this pilot study were translated into Vietnamese beforehand. In addition, the methodological tool was adapted, and its validity was assessed.

The success of military professional activity was assessed through expert evaluation of three main parameters: efficiency of knowledge assimilation and formation of professional skills and abilities; quality of duty performance and discipline; and authority in the military team. The effectiveness of military professional activity was evaluated by considering the expert assessments of three independent experts for each parameter. The average and total expert assessments were then calculated as an integral indicator.

The calculations were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, employing correlation and comparative analyses by T-criterion for independent samples. The normality of the distribution of the studied indicators in the sample was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov criterion. Based on the test results, integral indicators of MPM, personal adaptation abilities, and cognitive processes were identified. The rating of the SRV Navy specialists was calculated as the sum of block scores. By analogy with the PPS system for conscripts in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, categories (I–IV) of professional psychological aptitude (PPA) of the interviewed Vietnamese naval specialists were assessed according to the developed norms. The measure of statistical reliability of the results was a significance level not exceeding 0.05.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analysis of the distribution of PPA categories by blocks (MPM, personal and psychological adaptation potential [PPAP], and cognitive processes) showed that the considered blocks have approximately the same share in the definition of the PPA categories: category 1 (13%, 15%, and 15%), category 2 (36%, 35%, and 34%), category 3 (51%, 44%, and 43%), and category 4 (0%, 6%, and 8%).

Two groups were identified based on expert assessments of military professional adaptation effectiveness. Assessments were made for each criterion, including level of knowledge and skills, performance of official duties, and level of authority. Group 1 (less successful) scored <4 points, and group 2 (more successful) received >4.2 points.

The research results were compared between more and less successful navy specialists based on their efficiency in assimilating new knowledge, skills, and abilities. Statistically significant differences were found in emotional and volitional regulation (control of attractions scale and MPM questionnaire), PPAP (MPQ technique), ability to operate with visual images, pace of thought operations (S-test), and integral assessment of cognitive processes. Compared with their less successful specialists, more successful specialists had higher levels of attraction control, NPS, PPAP, and mental cognitive process development (Table 1).

 

Table 1. Psychological indicators in groups with varying success rates in terms of knowledge and skills, x ± σ

Таблица 1. Психологические показатели в группах с различной успешностью по уровню знаний и умений, x ± σ

Indicators	Group 1, n = 23	Group 2, n = 13	t	p =
Control of attractions, MPM, score	11.13 ± 2.25	12.69 ± 1.80	–2.23	0.031
PPAP, sn	4.5 ± 1.30	5.84 ± 1.73	–2.02	0.049
Productivity, S-test, score	60.06 ± 17.77	75.17 ± 23.49	–2.29	0.027
Integral assessment of cognitive processes, sn	4.7 ± 1.43	6.41 ± 1.35	–2.21	0.034

 

Compared with group 1, group 2 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the indicators of operative visual memory (figures), ability to assess spatial relations and accuracy of the visual perception of distances (coordinates), and the integral assessment of cognitive processes based on the quality of duty performance and discipline (Table 2).

 

Table 2. Psychological indicators in groups with different success rates in the quality of performance of official duties and discipline, x ± σ

Таблица 2. Психологические показатели в группах с различной успешностью по качеству выполнения служебных обязанностей и дисциплине, x ± σ

Indicators	Group 1, n = 12	Group 2, n = 33	t	p =
Figures, productivity, score	12.42 ± 7.20	16.55 ± 5.96	–1.94	0.058
Coordinates, productivity, score	28.58 ± 11.37	45.00 ± 15.15	–3.41	0.001
Integral assessment of cognitive processes, score	18.42 ± 6.92	22.79 ± 6.01	–2.07	0.044

 

Correlation analysis was used to confirm the relationship among personal qualities, mental cognitive processes, and success of military professional activity. The analysis revealed several statistically significant links between the studied intellectual and personal indicators and expert assessments of the success of military professional activity (Table 3).

 

Table 3. Correlations of expert assessments with the analyzed indicators (Pearson correlation, r_xy)

Таблица 3. Корреляционные взаимосвязи экспертных оценок с исследуемыми показателями (корреляция Пирсона, r_xy)

Indicators	Expert evaluation
	Knowledge and skills	Official duties	Peer authority	Average
MPM questionnaire
Worldview, score	–0.120	0.314*	0.025	0.035
Worldview, score	–0.055	0.156	0.337*	0.225
Control of attractions, score	0.326*	0.243	0.296*	0.360*
Adaptability (MPQ)
PPAP, sn	0.310*	0.119	0.007	0.151
Mental cognitive processes
Figures, productivity, score	0.282	0.400**	0.346*	0.387**
S-test, productivity, score	0.436**	0.490**	0.322*	0.429**
Coordinates, productivity, score	0.157	0.462**	0.430**	0.470**
Integral assessment of cognitive processes, sn	0.377*	0.521**	0.459**	0.523**
Total score by blocks	0.091	0.307*	0.300*	0.286

Note: * — р < 0,05; ** — р < 0,001.

Примечание: * — р < 0,05; ** — р < 0,001.

 

Expert assessments of knowledge, skills, and abilities are positively correlated with the ability to control attractions (control of attractions scale and MPM questionnaire), high personal and psychological adaptive abilities (PPAP integral scale and MPQ adaptability test), indicators of spatial and imaginative thinking (S-test), and integral assessment on the block of cognitive mental processes. The quality of duty performance is positively correlated with the worldview scale (MPM questionnaire), characterizing the correct understanding of the army’s role in the modern state, and indicators of cognitive mental process development. Expert assessment of authority within the service team is positively correlated with qualities, such as aspiration to achieve (striving for realization scale and MPM questionnaire) and ability to self-control (control of attractions scale and MPM questionnaire), and the overall level of development of cognitive mental processes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found statistically significant correlations between expert assessments of professional success and the level of development of cognitive mental processes, as well as the peculiarities of the motivational sphere, neuropsychiatric stability, and psychological adaptation characteristics.

The results allow us to conclude about the predictive validity of the investigated indicators of the methodological tool in relation to the assessment of psychological adaptation and professional success of naval specialists in the SRV Navy. The interrelations among cognitive mental processes, personal and psychological adaptation qualities, and effectiveness of professional activity confirm the necessity of considering these indicators in determining the professional psychological suitability of naval specialists to optimize their training and further professional activity. The survey results enable planning for the continuation and expansion of research on the development of a system for professional psychological and psychophysiological selection, support of professional activity, expertise, and, if necessary, subsequent medical and psychological rehabilitation of naval specialists of the SRV to maintain their professional health.

The authors express gratitude to the command of the SRV Navy for their assistance in conducting joint scientific research “Ecolan M2-2” on the topic “Ensuring Occupational Health of Military Submarine Sailors.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Authors’ contribution. Thereby, all authors made a substantial contribution to the conception of the study, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work, drafting and revising the article, final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the study.

The contribution of each author. E.V. Kryukov — development of a general concept, research design; E.V. Ivchenko — research methodology, development of a general concept; V.V. Yusupov — research design, data analysis; D.P. Zverev — data analysis; Bui Thi Huong — systematization of materials; V.A. Korzunin — writing an article, data analysis; E.O. Filippova — literature review, interpretation of the results; S.N. Levich — creation of a database, statistical data processing; L.O. Marchenko — literature review, statistical analysis; A.N. Andrusenko — research design, data analysis; A.Y. Shitov — literature review; Truong Van Tu — development of a general research concept; Nguyen Hong Quang — collection of materials, data analysis; Nguyen Thi Tui Lin — systematization of primary materials; Pham Huu Chin — collection of materials, conducting research; Nguyen Van Hung — collection of materials, conducting research.

Competing interests. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding source. The work was carried out with the financial support of joint scientific of the Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center (Tropical Center, Vietnam) and Military Medical Academy.

ДОПОЛНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ИНФОРМАЦИЯ

Вклад авторов. Все авторы внесли существенный вклад в разработку концепции, проведение исследования и подготовку статьи, прочли и одобрили финальную версию перед публикацией.

Вклад каждого автора. Е.В. Крюков — разработка общей концепции, дизайн исследования; Е.В. Ивченко — методология исследования, разработка общей концепции; В.В. Юсупов — дизайн исследования, анализ данных; Д.П. Зверев — анализ данных; Буй Тхи Хыонг — систематизация материалов; В.А. Корзунин — написание статьи, анализ данных; Е.О. Филиппова — обзор литературы, интерпретация результатов; С.Н. Левич — создание базы данных, статистическая обработка данных; Л.О. Марченко — обзор литературы, статистический анализ; А.Н. Андрусенко — дизайн исследования, анализ данных; А.Ю. Шитов — обзор литературы; Чыонг Ван Ту — разработка общей концепции исследования; Нгуен Хонг Куанг — сбор материалов, анализ данных; Нгуен Тхи Туи Линь — систематизация первичных материалов; Фам Хыу Чинь — сбор материалов, проведение исследования; Нгуен Ван Хунг — сбор материалов, проведение исследования.

Конфликт интересов. Авторы декларируют отсутствие явных и потенциальных конфликтов интересов, связанных с публикацией настоящей статьи.

Источник финансирования. Работа выполнена при финансовой поддержке совместных научных проектов Российско-Вьетнамского тропического научно-исследовательского и технологического центра (Тропический центр, Вьетнам) и Военно-медицинской академии им. С.М. Кирова.

 

¹ Guidelines for Hygienic Assessment of Factors of Working Environment and Labor Processes. Criteria and Classification of Working Conditions. Р22-6-05. Moscow: MZRF, 2006. 142 p. (in Russ.).

About the authors

Evgeniy V. Kryukov

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: evgeniy.md@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8396-1936
SPIN-code: 3900-3441

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Evgeniy V. Ivchenko

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: vmed_37@mil.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5582-1111
SPIN-code: 5228-1527

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), associate professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Vladislav V. Yusupov

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Author for correspondence.
Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5236-8419
SPIN-code: 9042-3320

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Dmitry P. Zverev

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3333-6769
SPIN-code: 7570-9568

MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Huong Thi Bui

Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru

Cand. Sci. (Biol.); employee of the laboratory of adaptation and military medicine

Viet Nam, Hanoi

Vladimir A. Korzunin

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: vakorzunin@rambler.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7332-6771
SPIN-code: 3172-2009

MD, Dr. Sci. (Psych.), MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.), professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Tu Van Truong

Navy Forces

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru

head of the military medical department of the Vietnamese Navy

Viet Nam, Hanoi

Elena O. Filippova

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: lena-philippova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-9529-5173
SPIN-code: 6495-2743

research fellow

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Svetlana N. Levich

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: leviswet@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5874-1341
SPIN-code: 1278-3362

research fellow

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Larisa O. Marchenko

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: marchenlara@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0425-6463
SPIN-code: 6497-6096

research fellow

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Andrey N. Andrusenko

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7393-6000
SPIN-code: 6772-4452

MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.), associate professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Arseniy Y. Shitov

Kirov Military Medical Academy

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5716-0932
SPIN-code: 7390-1240

MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Quang Hong Nguyen

Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru

Cand. Sci. (Chem.), head of the laboratory of adaptation and military medicine

Viet Nam, Hanoi

Linh Thi Thuy Nguyen

Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru

laboratory assistant at the laboratory of adaptation and military medicine

Viet Nam, Hanoi

Trinh Huu Pham

Navy Forces

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru

ship’s doctor of the 189^th brigade

Viet Nam, Hanoi

Hung Van Nueng

Navy Forces

Email: vmeda_37@mil.ru

ship’s doctor of the 189^th brigade

 

Viet Nam, Hanoi

References

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