An Exploration of Elite Military Operators’ Experiences of Psychological Skills Training and Psychological Skills Use in Demanding Settings

Johnson-Hubbins, Brendan Francis (2025) An Exploration of Elite Military Operators’ Experiences of Psychological Skills Training and Psychological Skills Use in Demanding Settings. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

Psychology and performance are intertwined on the battlefield. In recognition of this, a number of nation states have invested in psycho-education training programmes to support military units. The present research explored UK elite military operators’ experiences of a Psychological Skills Training (PST) programme and how psychological skills are related to performance in demanding situations, with the aim of enhancing the provision of a PST programme for this group. A mixed-methods approach was used. The first study explored 337 course evaluations of the Human Performance Course from 2017 to 2022. This is the largest survey study focusing on operators and seeking to understand their perceptions of a psychological skills and psychoeducation programme. Using a Likert scale operators responded on a scale with a range of one (strongly disagree) to five (strongly agree) about the quality of the programme and generally viewed the psychological skills and psychoeducation program positively. The lowest mean score of any item was 4.00, suggesting that all aspects of the programme measured were seen in a positive or extremely positive manner. The programme was perceived as useful and that psychological skills were most commonly used during operations and personal lives but less frequently utilised in day-to-day work life. Study two comprised a qualitative exploration of 10 operators' experiences with the psychological skills and psychoeducation programme, as well as gathering their suggestions for improving the programme. Operators liked the programme, and they felt the course was beneficial and appropriate and changed their behaviour in everyday life as a result of the programme. Second, they learnt many skills and used them when needed. The operators identified several methods for further improvements, such as further subjects and integrating more media, such as videos of when and how they would integrate psychological skills and identified the challenges of their role, such as the difficult nature of the role, pressure and lack of sleep, and qualities of an operator such as mental fortitude and mental agility. Study 4 three examined whether psychological skills and a stress-is-enhancing mindset impacted the pass rates in a psychologically demanding phase of selection of an elite military unit in the British Army (N=84). Within this cohort, only self-talk, goal setting, and automaticity significantly influenced the likelihood of passing the psychologically demanding phase of selection but reduced the likelihood of passing. However, when the fail group was subgrouped into “standup” failed, medically withdrawn, and voluntarily withdrawn, goal setting was seen to reduce medical withdrawals. The present research programme demonstrated that the existing performance psychology programme provided to elite military operators is well received, with skills used when required, typically on operations and during home life. The operators felt that a range of psychological skills improved their performance in operations. However, an empirical test of psychological skills and performance in a psychologically demanding situation showed self-talk, automaticity and goal setting reduced the likelihood of an individual passing the task. Future research should explore the effectiveness of psychological skills training in elite military operators across various demanding situations (e.g., physical operation rooms).