Exploring Military Deployment and Expatriate Mental Health: A Conservation of Resources Theory Perspectives

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.