Influence of contextual variables and health literacy on teamwork skills in Spanish military personnel

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Teamwork skills are essential for military personnel, influencing both professional performance and adaptation to civilian life. Health literacy has been identified as a factor that can further enhance these skills. To analyze the influence of contextual variables, such as military rank, marital status, and training experiences, on teamwork skills and their relationship with health literacy among Spanish military personnel. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 671 Spanish Army personnel. Data were collected via the Teamwork Skills Questionnaire (TSQ), evaluating six dimensions of teamwork, and correlated with health literacy levels. Contextual variables such as rank, marital status, training, and internships were also assessed. Statistical analyses included the Kruskal-Wallis test and decision tree modeling to identify predictors of health literacy. Results: The results showed that the military enjoy good levels of health literacy, with only 5.7% of the participants have a low level of health literacy, while 56.6% have a standard health literacy and 37.9% have excellent health literacy. Military rank significantly influenced teamwork skills, with officers scoring higher in leadership and adaptability, and non-commissioned officers excelling in coordination. Marital status impacted specific skills; separated participants displayed superior decision-making and adaptability, while married individuals excelled in communication, coordination, and leadership. Training and internships significantly enhanced teamwork skills across multiple dimensions. A positive correlation was observed between teamwork skills and health literacy, with urban residency, higher parental education, and strong personal skills emerging as key predictors of excellent health literacy. Conclusion: Tailored training programs are recommended to enhance teamwork skills, especially for military personnel with diverse contextual backgrounds. Incorporating health literacy training into military curricula could optimize professional performance and career progression. These findings underscore the importance of addressing contextual and personal factors to improve teamwork and health literacy in the military.