Psychological Screening Program Overview

Abstract

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Research Potential of a Heart Rate Variability Diagnostic System for the Study of Stress and Health Risk in Peacekeeping Operations

“…In this regard, the assessment of deployment phases (pre-deployment and re-deployment) and their comparison provide useful information for our further studies: research on pre-deployment phase might provide referent functional data before exposure to peacekeeping stress; the study of the re-deployment phase might provide functional data indicating the effects of cumulative stress. This result is consistent to a certain degree with the study of Wright et al 2002 who examined health surveillance of peacekeepers in different deployment phases with psychological methods for screening of PTSD and depression.…”

“…This result is consistent to a certain degree with the study of Wright et al, 2002 as they examine health surveillance of peacekeepers in different deployment phases with psychological methods for screening of PTSD and depression.…”

“…Except for combat stressors, peacekeeping deployment is characterized by exposure to social and psychological stressors and such challenges as helplessness, powerlessness, isolation, boredom, monotony, separation from family, role stressors, economic factors (inadequate or undeveloped infrastructure), nationalistic interests, non-recognition of human rights (ethnic tension), state corruption, organized crime, drug and people trafficking, and provocations [Carlstrom et al, 1990;Harris & Segal, 1985;Litz, 1996;Ritchie et al, 1994;Weisaeth et al, 1996;Weisaeth & Sund, 1982;Wright et al, 2002].…”

“…A specific very stressful feature during exposure to peacekeeping stressors is the requirement to exercise restraint which is regarded as a principal and crucial component of effective peacekeeping [Allard, 1995;Moskos, 1975;Wright et al, 2002]. This feature is stressful because it requires to exercise restraint in the case of provocation, danger, threat; it contributes to feelings of helplessness, increased anxiety and frustration [Litz, 1996;Moskos, 1975;Segal & Segal, 1993]; and might induce PTSD or be a mediator of the relationship between PTSD and other stressors [Litz et al, 1997].…”

“…Health services are needed for military personnel participating in PKM, as during the deployment phases the personnel may develop psychological disorders as a consequence of participation in PKM. In this component of health surveillance, psychological screening is used to determine risk indicators and to predict morbid outcomes, pre-deployment psychological issues, re-deployment acute stress reactions, and postdeployment psychological adjustment [Wright et al, 2002]. The results of Dutch investigators indicate that social support and coping strategies may be valuable aspects for preventing PTSD [Dirkzwager et al, 2003].…”