by Judith Martin
05 September 2006
A Directorate of Psychology to support the New Zealand Defence force's psychology services and conduct wider human resource-related research has been established. The unit, headed by Air Force psychologist Wing Commander Emma Davis, is based in Wellington.
"The directorate has a number of aims, but the primary one is to increase the defence force's research capability in support of the single Services in the area of psychology and also wider human resources issues,” says WGCDR Davis.
The research will be primarily within the NZDF, but also related to external trends and benchmarking.
The NZDF has 22 industrial organisational psychologists across the three Services. They support operational deployments, and also work in the areas of recruitment, selection, training and performance management to ensure the defence force effectively manages people.
In operational deployments psychologists brief personnel prior to deploying about the impact the mission may have on themselves and their families, and what to expect when they arrive in theatre. They ensure personnel are well-prepared with regard to the impact of being away from their family Personnel are debriefed as their deployment finishes, to enable them to fit back easily into their life at work and home. Psychologists are also on hand to provide advice should there be a critical incident, such as a death or major trauma during a deployment.
WGCDR Davis says she is looking forward to her role as director of the new unit as research has always been of particular interest to her.
"The involvement of psychologists in our military is one of our strengths in that we have a strong foundation of research that underpins our practices. We use research as the basis of designing and delivering psychological services to the organisation.”
One of the priorities for the directorate will be ongoing research looking at the recruiting tests all non-commissioned ranks sit when applying to join the Services.
"Those tests are very important and must be good predictors of success in training, particularly when we want to attract high quality and a sufficient quantity of recruits. As society and the external environment changes we need to ensure the tests are up to date and relevant.”
New Zealand has strong links with the militaries of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States, and uses overseas research as well as its own, says WGCDR Davis. "We also have links with universities and other external agencies to ensure we have access to up to date research in the broad range of areas we work in.”
NZDF psychologists are based at all its camps, bases and training establishments to support personnel through their training, and help with any difficulties which they may encounter. Psychologists also help enhance individual and organizational performance, and provide continuous education into areas such as stress management, leadership development and managing personnel issues.
The NZDF has previously had a Defence Psychology Unit, but it was disestablished in 1991, with psychological services devolving to the single Services. WGCDR Davis said the demand for psychological services within the defence force over the past 15 years had grown as psychologists contribute to all aspects of military activities.