Research project AP/26 (Research action AP)
Context :
The present research seeks to analyse the psychosocial support of the families of members of Defense taking part or having taken part in the “operations in response to international crises”.
It is based on a first study carried out by the Military Royal School which sought to analyse services proposed by the Belgian army regarding psychosocial support.
Three goals are pursued within this research:
- the identification of the psychosocial needs of the families of soldiers: before the mission, during the mission and after the mission;
- the evaluation of the adequacy of the services suggested by the Belgian army and the expectations of the families;
- the formulation of recommendations for further actions.
Methodology :
The methodology applied to the present project is a methodology in five steps.
Phase 1: review of the literature
This first phase of research, classically named “ Review of the scientific literature”, is spread out over a two months period and is divided in two parts.
This phase should allow the improvement of theoretical knowledge on the problems of the psychosocial support. More precisely, a theoretical corpus more specific to the problems of the psychosocial support in the army will be identified.
In addition to the theoretical corpus relating to the psychosocial support of the families of soldiers, the field devoted to the measuring instruments relating to the studied set of themes will be investigated.
Phase 2: development and realization of the focus groups
Together with the department of the Behavioural sciences of the RMS, we will create eight focus groups (four FR and four NL) Parallel to this step of definition of the sample, an animationguide for these focus groups will be written.
This second phase ends with the animation of these focus groups.
Phase 3: The analysing of the data resulting from the focus group and the formulation of the survey
Throughout this phase, the two teams of research will work in narrow partnership in order to pool the data resulting from each group.
The analysis of these first results combined with the assumptions formulated in the first phase will allow the creation of a first draft of the questionnaire which will be submitted for approval to the committee of accompaniment. This phase will end with the finalisation of the questionnaire.
Phase 4: The analysing of the data resulting from the survey and feedback to the participants
This fourth phase of research will be devoted to the examination and the analysis of the data resulting from the questionnaires. Following this analysis, a feedback will be returned to the participants.
The nature and the form of this feedback remain to be determined within the committee of accompaniment.
Phase 5: drafting of the final report
Awaited results :
A first range of result awaited in this research resulting from the compilation of the data collected in the focus group with the data resulting from the questionnaires. Indeed, the compilation of these results should enable us to identify in a rather exhaustive way the needs of the families concerning psychosocial support. In a more concrete way, the methodology applied to this level should allow the identification of not only nature of the need for the families but also their expectations as to the form which according to them most would be the most relevant.
One second range of awaited results will be achieved through comparing the results resulting from our first step with those resulting from the first research undertaken by the ERM.
Thus, on this level, we will be able to identify the level of compatibility between “the offer proposed by the ERM” and the “expectations of the families”.
Lastly, on the basis of this second result, a third range of result can be expected insofar as recommendations can be made and actions can be taken under consideration if that proved to be necessary to resolve the lack of adequacy of the services already provided to respond to the expectations of the families.
Le soutien psychosocial des familles de militaires envoyés en mission de crise à l'étranger 2007-2008 : rapport final
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2008 (SP1873)
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