ABOUT US
History
The Officer Well-Being Study (OWBS) was designed in response to growing recognition that officer well-being is critical in ensuring individual thriving, organizational growth and mission delivery. The OWBS was conducted between January and June of 2025.
The goal of the OWBS was to gain an understanding of the experiences that impact officer well-being and to develop research-informed and practice-oriented recommendations for enhancing officers’ experienced well-being. It was critical for the study to consider any factors, including policies, practices and personal experiences that contribute to the unique experiences of officers across the territory. There were two main research questions that guided the work:
- What supports or creates barriers to officer well-being?
- What opportunities exist to enhance officer well-being?
The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory commissioned The Lanier Practice to conduct a comprehensive OWBS to better understand its officers’ lived experiences and inform strategic decisions that improve their well-being, engagement and effectiveness in ministry. Recognizing that officer well-being is essential to mission delivery, organizational sustainability and spiritual vitality, this study aimed to identify both the strengths and challenges that influence the daily realities of officership.
The Lanier Practice
The Lanier Practice is a U.S.-based consultancy that works at the intersection of mental health and organizational health. They offer clinical, research and consultative services and specialize in working with Salvation Army personnel. Their professionals have long histories of personal and professional involvement with the Army, and they possess a deep understanding of and appreciation for the Army's mission and values.
The OWBS was designed to answer important questions about the officer experience and to inform action-oriented decisions by the executive administration for enhancing the care and support provided to officers. The study was designed and led by The Lanier Practice’s principal investigator, Dayana Kupisk, PhD.
