OBJECTIVES

The military service of Polish soldiers on missions abroad began in 1953. Many years of experience of the Polish army as well as the armed forces of other countries show that being in a mission area has a significant impact on soldiers' mental health. Soldiers experience problems with anxiety disorders, depression and posttraumatic stress, which is associated with a difficult return to family life. The aim of the paper was to analyze psychosocial aspects of participation of the Polish Armed Forces in combat missions outside the country.

METHODS

The study involved a group of 102 soldiers serving in the Military Unit No. 4092 in Walcz, Military Unit No. 4094 in Walcz, and the Military Academy of Land Forces in Wroclaw. All subjects are veterans of missions outside Poland. The research method was the diagnostic survey method. Three standardized research tools were used: the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), NEO-FFI Personality Inventory, Beck's Depression Scale, and the author's questionnaire.

RESULTS

The studies have shown relationships between the level of anxiety in soldiers - veterans of missions abroad and strong battlefield stressors to which they had been subjected, and their family situation and non-institutional methods of psychological support they had received during their stay in the mission area. During the studies a factor was distinguished that contributes to the feeling of incomprehension of soldiers by their relatives after returning home.

CONCLUSIONS

1. A higher level of anxiety is observed in soldiers who had experienced lifethreatening situations during their missions. 2. Having children is a factor that increases the level of anxiety in veterans on missions abroad. 3. Regular contact with families left behind in the country is associated with a lower sense of fear in soldiers.