Assessing Stressors and Coping Strategies in Coast Guard Non-Officers Course (CGNOC) Training: Enhancing Performance, Well-Being, and Operational Readiness

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the stress experienced by trainees of the Coast Guard Non-Officers’ Course (CGNOC) in relation to stress perceived level, common causes of stress and coping strategies used. The goal was to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve trainee wellness, performance, and operational readiness. This means that a mixed-methods approach was necessary to make sense of these factors. Quantitative data was also collected using a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) administered to 626 CGNOC trainees to assess current stress levels. Focus group discussions with trainees pre-identified as highly stressed and interviews with Tactical Officers and the unit’s internal psychologist, were used to obtain qualitative insights around experiences of stress, coping strategies, and available institutional support. Data analysis integrated descriptive statistics for the quantitative part and thematic analysis for the qualitative results. The findings showed that two-thirds of trainees had moderate stress levels. Common stressors were physical fatigue, intensive training requirements, time pressure and adjustment to military discipline and living conditions. Despite the challenges mentioned, trainee students predominantly adopted adaptive coping strategies including seeking social support, goal setting and self-regulation and positive reframing. These findings were also supported by expert interviews that proved essential to longevity resilience and maintenance, the importance of mentorship and access to psychological services in a supportive training environment (Zubair & Kamal, 2023).