A Model of Psychological Stress in Peacekeeping Operations.
Abstract
Since the end of the Cold War, European-based US military forces have participated in a growing number of peacekeeping operations. For the past 3 years, the US Army Medical Research Unit-Europe has conducted field studies with a variety of units engaged in peacekeeping and contingency operations. The general research goal is to identify the key sources of stress in such operations, the impact on soldier health and adaptation, and factors that increase soldier vulnerability or resiliency under the stress of peacekeeping operations. This presentation will give selected findings from this research program, with an emphasis on US experience with United Nations operations in Croatia. Extensive interview, observation and survey data collected on a peacekeeping medical task force over time led to a conceptual model that describes the major domains of psychological stress in peacekeeping operations: Isolation, Ambiguity, Powerlessness, Boredom, and Threat. Also provided are some recommendations for countermeasures that may reduce the negative effects of peacekeeping stress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 13, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA318061
Entities
People
- Amy B Adler
- Paul T. Bartone