Objective To investigate the intervention efficacy of best possible self (BPS)on the mental health of new recruits (including state optimism and pessimism,perceived stress and subjective well-being).Methods A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted on 212 new recruits subjected with cluster sampling from an army unit in a training base for new recruits in September 2023.Based on their organizational structure,they were divided into a study group (n=100,receiving BPS intervention 15 min/d,for 2 consecutive weeks)and a control group[n=112,typical day (TD)intervention,15 min/d,same period].Future Expectancy Scale (FEX),Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS),Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS ) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS ) were used to measure the 2 groups of participants at T0 (baseline),T1 (end of the first week of intervention),T2 (end of the second week of intervention)and T3 (1 week after the end of intervention)in order to evaluate the intervention efficacy on above mentioned mental health indicators.Results There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline psychological variables listed above between the 2 groups.However,as the training progressed,obvious differences were observed in the training effects on state pessimism,perceived stress and subjective well-being (including affective and cognitive well-being)between them.When compared with the baseline data (T0),the study group had notably reduced state pessimism (P<0.01)and elevated affective (P<0.001) and cognitive well-being (P<0.001)during T1 and T3,and decreased perceived stress at T1 (P<0.05)and T3 (P<0.001).However,no such changes of above indicators were observed in the control group before and after training.Conclusion A 2-week BPS intervention can effectively reduce state pessimism and perceived stress,promote subjective well-being,and improve mental health in new recruits during new recruit training.

Objective To explore the effects of expressive writing on repetitive negative thinking(RNT)and anxiety and depression in new recruits,and to compare the effectiveness of different writing intervals on the training effects.Methods A total of 262 new recruits of a troop were sampled using cluster sampling and then divided into 3 groups based on their own organizational company.There were 2 groups receiving RNT-focused expressive writing,including 6-week group(n=90),once a week for 6 consecutive weeks,and 6-day group(n=83)once a day for 6 consecutive days,as well as a control group without any intervention(control group,n=89).Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire(PTQ),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)were used to survey all participants at following 3 time points:before intervention(T0),at the end of intervention(T1)and 1 month after intervention(T2).Results There were no significant differences in demographic information and psychological indicators among the 3 groups before the intervention.After intervention,the scores of RNT,depression,and anxiety were significantly lower in the 6-week group at T1 and T2 than the baseline levels(T0)(P＜0.01).The 6-day group showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing in the 3 scores,the scores of RNT and depression were significantly higher at T1 than T0(P＜0.01),then all 3 scores fell back at T2,and the scores of depression and anxiety at T2 were significantly lower than at T0(P＜0.01).No significant changes were observed in these psychological indicators in the control group before and after training.Conclusion RNT-focused expressive writing for 6 weeks can reduce RNT and relieve emotions such as depression and anxiety in new recruits,but similar effects are not observed in the 6-day consecutive writing program.So,we recommend a 6-week writing intervention to promote mental health in new recruits.