Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• McCauley, Mathew

Titel

An investigation into the practice of mental healthcare during operational deployments: psychosocial implications for military mental health professionals

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

2006

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Much research has been conducted into the endeavours of military personnel on operational deployments, including the effects such work has on soldiers' mental health. A number of these studies, however, have tended to focus on fighting units, such as infantry troops. As a result, little is known about the experiences and consequences of operational deployment on other service personnel, including mental health professionals. The first chapter of this thesis reviews the existing literature on the ethical issues involved in practicing as a military clinical psychologist. Confidentiality and boundary violations are discussed in relation to the ethical standards espoused by these mental health professionals. Chapter two presents the main paper of this thesis. This describes a study into the practice of mental healthcare on operational deployments by a sample of military mental health professionals. An exploration is carried out into the balance sought by these clinicians in both working towards their military objectives and attending to the mental health needs of service personnel. Challenges encountered include ethical conflicts, limited resources and interpersonal obstacles. The importance of clinicians attending to their own mental health is also considered. The brief paper, as presented in chapter three, extends these findings by investigating the psychosocial well-being of previously deployed military mental health professionals. The final chapter offers a review of the research contained in this thesis. The genesis of the research topic is discussed. A reflective critique of the methodologies applied and the collection and analysis of data is also provided. Further, the personal issues encountered during the research process are considered. Finally, the clinical, academic and future research implications are reviewed.