Psychological intervention in the Spanish military deployed on international operations.

BACKGROUND Spain was one of the first countries to recognize the importance of psychological aspects in the planning and development of international military operations, and also to include military psychologists in contingents deployed abroad. METHOD This paper describes the psychological intervention model used by Spanish military psychologists involved in military operations abroad. RESULTS This model is comprised of a systematic set of interventions and actions carried out in the different phases of any military operation (concentration, deployment and post-mission). It also contemplates the intervention not only in personnel who integrate the military contingents, but also with their families and, at certain times of the mission, with the local population of the area in which the operation is carried out. CONCLUSIONS The model presented has a preventive orientation, based on the selection and psychological preparation of contingents before deployment, and supplemented by support in the area of operations for personnel who need it, and the psychological care of their families in Spain. Whereas this model has been effective so far, in this work, we present a series of measures aimed at improving the psychological well-being of our troops deployed outside our country.