Exploring Military Deployment and Expatriate Mental Health

A Conservation of Resources Theory Perspectives

Bibliographic Data

ID3910358
AuthorsSampson Kudjo Adeti (University of Ghana Business School, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana), Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah (University of Ghana Business School, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana), Kwesi Amponsah‐Tawiah (University of Ghana), Kwasi Dartey-Baah (University of Ghana Business School, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana), Kwasi Dartey‐Baah (0000-0003-4343-1460, University of Ghana), Alex Anlesinya (0000-0001-5439-4672, Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, corresponding author), Joseph Osafo (0000-0003-4002-291X, University of Ghana), Nurul Aisyah Awanis A Rahim (0000-0001-8471-565X, Sultan Zainal Abidin University)
Year2025
Volume57
Issue1
Pages144-166
Publication date2025-10-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Cross-Cultural Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-0221 • E-ISSN: 1552-5422
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00220221251377051
OpenAlexW4414775837
LanguageEN
References cited33

As global conflicts intensify, resource-based approaches to mental health at work are becoming increasingly vital. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines deployment practices and mental health outcomes among military expatriates (United Nations peacekeepers within the Ghana Armed Forces). Thematic analysis of interview data reveals that military expatriate face multiple stressors and trauma triggers, contributing to significant mental health challenges. However, unit-level support during deployment emerged as a key protective resource, while pre-deployment activities have a dual impact: they build mental resilience through personal resource development but also cause short-term stress and anxiety. This study advances the limited literature on military expatriate mental health and proposes a "resource-driven military mental health model," extending COR theory to a critically underexplored population

Expatriate · Mental health · Military deployment · Military personnel · Psychological resilience · Resilience (materials science · Software deployment · Thematic analysis · Employment and Welfare Studies · Global Health Workforce Issues · Migration, Health and Trauma

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