Design, implementation, and empirical assessment of an interdisciplinary training program in military, clinical, and general psychology

Background. The urgent need to strengthen evaluation capacity in the field of psychological training for military personnel is driven by the active implementation of new educational programs, the effectiveness of which is not always empirically validated, as well as by the limited internal expertise in assessing educational outcomes. In this study, we aimed to address these challenges through the development, implementation, and pilot testing of an interdisciplinary educational program integrating military, clinical, and general psychology. Purpose – to develop, implement, and empirically assess the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary educational program that integrates knowledge from military, clinical, general, and personality psychology, with the goal of enhancing the professional training of specialists working under security and combat-related challenges. Materials and Methods. The study employed a comprehensive methodological approach to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of the interdisciplinary educational program in military, clinical, and general psychology. Theoretical and empirical methods were used, including literature review, surveys, psychological testing, and statistical data analysis. The tools were piloted among program graduates (n = 54), and the psycho-emotional state of military personnel and internally displaced persons (IDPs) (n = 143) was assessed using the DASS-21 scale. Data analysis was performed using the Studentʼs t-test. Results. The study results demonstrated the effectiveness of the interdisciplinary educational program that integrates knowledge from military, clinical, and general psychology. Graduates rated the content, relevance, and practical value of the program highly. Psychometric data (DASS-21) from military personnel and IDPs before and after interaction with professionals trained under this program showed a statistically significant decrease in levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (p < 0.05). These findings confirm the programʼs practical effectiveness both in training specialists and improving the psycho-emotional state of target groups, highlighting the feasibility of its further implementation and scaling. Conclusions. The interdisciplinary educational program is an effective tool for training professionals and, at the same time, a factor in improving the psycho-emotional well-being of target groups in wartime conditions.