Open AccessThe Question of Deployment Length in Peacekeeping Missions
Author(s) -
Marek Nový
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
vojenské rozhledy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2336-2995
pISSN - 1210-3292
DOI - 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.04.122-128
Subject(s) - software deployment , boredom , learned helplessness , psychopathology , stressor , mental health , peacekeeping , psychology , military deployment , depression (economics) , psychiatry , posttraumatic stress , military personnel , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , engineering , history , software engineering , archaeology , macroeconomics , economics
From research reports cited in this article, the period of six months seems to be suitable time for the deployment abroad. A soldier should not be redeployed for at least one year, following his previous mission. The majority of soldiers cope with deployments well and without any psychopathology. Most reported mental problems are alcohol misuse, followed by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and by the depression. Alcohol seems be even the higher risk for soldiers less exposed to combat stressors (e.g. fire), but more to chronic stressors (boredom, isolation, helplessness) than PTSD for a soldier in action. Therefore pre-deployment training of our soldiers should be more devoted to mental health aspects, starting with alcohol overuse.