Resilience is the ability to cope effectively with difficult situations such as adversities, setbacks, and crises. It can be defined as "a dynamic process that includes personal, social, cultural, institutional, and community resources" (Campbell, 2019, p. 46). Resilience involves being able to adapt successfully after facing trauma or adversity, as well as maintaining a positive outlook on life despite challenges. Research has shown that resilient individuals tend to have strong support systems, including family members, friends, and colleagues who provide emotional support during times of stress. Relational satisfaction refers to feeling satisfied in interpersonal relationships such as friendships, romantic partnerships, and familial bonds. Identity integration refers to having a sense of self-identity that is coherent and consistent across different contexts. In the military, operational stressors include deployment, combat experiences, and separation from loved ones. Psychosocial factors that support resilience, relational satisfaction, and identity integration under operational stress are communication, empathy, emotional regulation, self-efficacy, social support, and mindfulness practices. Communication plays an important role in building and maintaining healthy relationships. Individuals should communicate openly and honestly with their loved ones about their feelings and needs in order to build trust and intimacy. Empathy allows one to understand another person's perspective and experiences, which can help foster connection and reduce conflict. Emotional regulation involves managing one's own emotions effectively, which can prevent negative affect from impacting relationships. Self-efficacy involves having confidence in one's abilities and skills, which can lead to increased resilience. Social support includes the presence of family, friends, and community who offer practical assistance and encouragement. Mindfulness practices involve being present in the moment and nonjudgmentally observing one's thoughts and emotions, which can improve psychological well-being.
Campbell, J. (2019). The psychology of risk and uncertainty: New perspectives on the human condition. Routledge.
What psychosocial factors support resilience, relational satisfaction, and identity integration under operational stress?
Resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with stressful situations such as military deployment and maintain their mental health. Resilient individuals are able to adapt quickly to change and have better coping mechanisms when faced with challenges (Norris et al. , 2018). To promote resilience among soldiers, there should be emphasis on creating positive relationships between them and their families and peers (Taylor & Lerner, 2009).