Essay On Battlemind Debriefing

In a study by Adler, Bliese, McGurk, Hoge, Castro (2009), the researchers wanted to compare the efficacy of different postdeployment early intervention methods on psychological health, more specifically on PTSD symptoms. The three different postdeployment early intervention methods studied included: 1) a form of psychological debriefing called Battlemind debriefing, 2) a skills-based method called Battlemind training, and 3) a postdeployment stress education. Psychological debriefing has been very controversial among the mental health community. This controversy sprung from numerous conflicting pervious research results. Previous research has found psychological debriefing to be neutral, beneficial, and even harmful to mental health. Battlemind debriefing, a form …show more content…
This was achieved by highlighting that traumas from deployment are in the past and promoted peer support. Also, it minimized the number of times that combat-related traumas were recounted, in order to take precaution against retraumatizing and secondary trauma to others. This was conducted with platoons ranging in size of 20-32 individuals and was compromised of 26 50 minute sessions. Developed for this study, Battlemind training concentrated on unit cohesion and suggested tasks for soldiers to implement in their transition home. It utilized components of positive psychology by teaching the soldiers that difficulties in their transition home like PTSD are consequences from coping with combat and should be adapted. Therefore, the soldiers do not blame themselves for transition difficulties. Because of its newness, Battlemind training was conducted in large groups of 126-225 and small groups of 18-45. The training was comprised of 23 small group sessions and 6 large group sessions. Finally, the usual military postdeployment training, postdeployment stress education, involves conventional stress management