Mixed agency in military psychology: Applying the American Psychological Association ethics code.

Military psychology can diverge significantly from traditional psychological practice. Mixed-agency conflicts--those arising when a military psychologist's obligations to individual patients compete with obligations to the Department of Defense or federal regulations--can generate challenging ethical dilemmas. This article explores the notion of mixed agency within the military setting and addresses the most pertinent aspects of the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct related to this ethical challenge. Case vignettes are presented as a means of illustrating key mixed-agency dilemmas and the effective navigation of these conflicts. The article concludes with several recommendations for military psychologists as they work to anticipate and effectively manage ethical dilemmas bearing on their dual identities as officer and health care provider. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)