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Occupational stress and UN peacekeepers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2014

J. Tobin
J. Tobin*
Affiliation:
Bloomfield Hospital, Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr J. Tobin, Bloomfield Hospital, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Ireland has been actively involved in peacekeeping operations since the 1950s. The unique psychological stressors associated with this form of military activity have been under-recognised and under-researched.

Aim

The aim of this paper is to bring to the attention of mental health professionals, who have been caring for military and retired military peacekeeping personnel, the unique difficulties associated with peacekeeping and how they can impact upon the mental health of the peacekeeper.

Methods

The nature of peacekeeping is outlined. There is a short review of the limited literature on the mental health effects of this kind of military deployment. There is also an outline of the positive outcomes for the majority of those who have served as peacekeepers.

Results

Both the negative and the positive mental health outcomes depend on the particular mission. Each mission is different and the nature of a mission also changes over time. Post-traumatic stress disorder rates can vary from 3% to 15% of a peacekeeping cohort, depending upon the nature of the violence associated with the mission. The vast majority of peacekeepers have found their peacekeeping deployments as an enriching experience.

Conclusion

Peacekeepers are often witnesses as well as the victims of traumatic events. The restrictions placed upon their military role by the mission mandate can be a source of stress for them. Their mental health needs to be supported during the mission and after they have returned home.

Keywords

Mandatemission ambiguitymultiple missionspositive outcomespowerlessnessPTSDunique stressors
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 205 - 208
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2014 

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