Traumatic events experienced by military personnel can have significant impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. These effects can be particularly intense for married couples who are experiencing trauma together. Research has shown that the level of familial support available to military couples after a traumatic event can play an important role in how they process the experience and manage its long-term effects.
When a couple experiences a traumatic event, such as combat, deployment, or injury, it can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. This is especially true if the event was unexpected or sudden. The intensity of these reactions may vary from person to person but can lead to difficulty coping and adjusting to daily life. Military couples often rely on each other for emotional support during difficult times, but when one partner feels unsupported, it can create additional challenges.
If one spouse doesn't feel understood or validated by the other, it can lead to further distress and potentially negative outcomes such as withdrawal or resentment.
Familial support refers to the emotional, social, and practical assistance provided within a family system. Families with high levels of support tend to be more cohesive, where members work together towards shared goals and provide care for each other. In contrast, families with low levels of support may exhibit conflict, lack of communication, and isolation. When military couples receive adequate familial support, they are more likely to cope effectively with the trauma they have experienced. They are also less likely to develop mental health issues like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.
When couples do not receive enough support, they may struggle with their mental health and experience higher rates of PTSD and depression.
To summarize:
Traumatic events experienced by military personnel can have significant impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. When military couples experience a traumatic event, receiving adequate familial support can help them process the experience and manage its long-term effects. Without this support, couples may struggle with their mental health and develop negative outcomes.
How does the presence or absence of familial support impact the psychological processing of trauma in military couples?
The presence or absence of familial support may significantly impact the psychological processing of trauma in military couples. Research has shown that individuals who experience traumatic events are more likely to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when they do not have adequate social support from family members.