ABSTRACT

Military psychology has become one of the world’s fastest-growing disciplines with ever-emerging new applications of research and development. The Routledge International Handbook of Military Psychology and Mental Health is a compendium of chapters by internationally renowned scholars in the field, bringing forth the state of the art in the theory, practice and future prospects of military psychology.

This uniquely interdisciplinary volume deliberates upon the current issues and applications of military psychology not only within the military organization and the discipline of psychology, but also in the larger context of its role of building a better world. Split into three parts dedicated to specific themes, the first part of the book, "Military Psychology: The Roots and the Journey," provides an overview of the evolution of the discipline over the years, delving into concepts as varied as culture and cognition in the military, a perspective on the role of military psychology in future warfare and ethical issues. The second part, "Soldiering: Deployment and Beyond," considers the complexities involved in soldiering in view of the changing nature of warfare, generating a focal discourse on various aspects of military leadership, soldier resilience and post-traumatic growth in the face of extreme situations, bravery and character strengths and transitioning to civilian life. In the final section, "Making a Choice: Mental Health Issues and Prospects in the Military," the contributors focus on the challenges and practices involved in maintaining the mental health of the soldier, covering issues ranging from stress, mental health and well-being, through to suicide risk and its prevention, intervention and management strategies, moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Incorporating enlightening contributions of eminent scholars from around the world, the volume is a comprehensive repository of current perspectives and future directions in the domain of military psychology. It will prove a valuable resource for mental health practitioners, military leaders, policy-makers and academics and students across a range of disciplines.

part I|1 pages

Military psychology: The roots and the journey

chapter 1|9 pages

Military psychology in war and peace

An appraisal

chapter 4|14 pages

Polemology

Orphan of military psychology

chapter 6|14 pages

Military psychology and the fourth industrial revolution

Implications for the South African National Defence Force's Directorate psychology

chapter 8|33 pages

Ethical issues in military psychology

Promoting international ethical readiness

part II|1 pages

Soldiering: Deployment and beyond

chapter 9|13 pages

Shaping military leaders

Role of character strengths and virtues

chapter 10|18 pages

Posttraumatic growth in military populations

Theory, research, and application

chapter 12|15 pages

Sustainable team leadership

Social identity and collective leadership for military and society

chapter 13|13 pages

The physical bravery study

Findings and implications for small, innovative research studies with military/veteran populations

chapter 14|16 pages

Military recruiting in the United States

Selection, assessment, training, well-being, and performance coaching

chapter 16|17 pages

Reintegration and military family health

Military training and its relationship to post-deployment role conflict in intimate partner relationships

chapter 17|12 pages

Lone wolf terrorism

part III|1 pages

Making a choice: Mental health issues and prospects in the military

chapter 20|35 pages

Military burnout and work engagement

A qualitative systematic literature review

chapter 22|16 pages

Stress experiences and abilities to cope

Civil population versus military personnel

chapter 23|11 pages

Military-related mental health morbidities

A neurobiological approach

chapter 26|22 pages

Military sexual trauma and suicidal self-directed violence

A narrative review and proposed agenda for future research

chapter 29|14 pages

Family-based psychological interventions

A heuristic approach

chapter 34|9 pages

Student service members/veterans’ mental health on campus

Risk and resources