ENHANCING DECISION-MAKING UNDER COMBAT STRESS: PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION EFFECTS ON MILITARY PERSONNEL IN CRISIS SITUATIONS

This study investigates the effectiveness of a multidomain psychological training program designed to enhance decision-making readiness in active-duty military personnel. Conducted as a quasi-experimental pre-post intervention with between-group comparisons, the research evaluated changes in cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, physiological reactivity, and decision-making performance. A total of 87 border guard service members were assigned to either an Experimental Group (n = 45), which received a six-week, 68.5-hour training program, or a Control Group (n = 42), which continued routine duties. The intervention incorporated cognitive drills, emotion regulation exercises, VR-based decision scenarios, and HRV biofeedback. Quantitative data were collected using validated psychometric tools, physiological monitoring devices, and expert-rated simulations. Post-intervention results showed significant gains in the Experimental Group across all domains, with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 0.79–0.95) and an average increase of 23.6% in adaptive readiness. Betweengroup analyses confirmed superior outcomes for the Experimental Group in emotional regulation, situational awareness, decision effectiveness, and autonomic stability. Correlational analyses revealed positive associations between emotional intelligence, HRV, and decision-making performance. Qualitative findings from focus group interviews further supported the training’s perceived impact on operational confidence, emotional control, and team cohesion. These results highlight the value of integrated psychological preparation in enhancing military performance under stress and support its broader application across high-stakes occupational domains.