Comparison of Life Satisfaction and Aggression Dimensions of Soldiers Serving in Prisons Based on Marital Status and Type of Sport (Water or Land)

The harsh environment and conditions of serving in prison endanger the mental health of soldiers and affect their level of aggression and life satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to compare the level of life satisfaction and aggression dimensions of soldiers based on the type of sport (water or land) and their marital status.

The statistical population was all soldiers serving in the Mazandaran prison organization, north of Iran, in 2022. The soldiers of 3 prisons, Babol, Sari, and Tonkabon, were selected as the research sample by random cluster sampling (n=169) and finally 153 complete questionnaires were analyzed. Data were collected with three questionnaires; demographic information, Diener's life satisfaction and Makarowski's aggression, and with 3 dimensions going ahead, tripping up, and assertiveness.

The life satisfaction has a significant difference between land and water sports soldiers, and water sports soldiers have higher life satisfaction (P<0.05). The mean aggression dimensions of the water sports group is lower than the land sports group, which is statistically significant (P<0.05) except for the assertiveness dimension. Single soldiers are more satisfied with life than married soldiers, but this difference is not statistically significant (P<0.05). Also, there is no significant difference in the mean dimensions of aggression between married and single soldiers (P<0.05).

According to the current findings that showed water sports soldiers have higher life satisfaction and less aggressive dimensions than land sports soldiers, in order to increase life satisfaction and reduce soldiers' aggression, it is suggested that recreational and educational water sports programs should be part of the soldiers' leisure time programs.