The phenomenon of combat exposure has been studied for decades among military members to investigate its impact on their psychological state. While most studies have focused on mental health outcomes like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about how combat exposure affects an individual's prioritization of relationship versus career goals. This study explores the effect of combat exposure on this specific area of life.
This research was conducted using a sample of active duty U.S. Army soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. Participants completed surveys before deployment that asked them to rate their level of comfort with different aspects of their lives, including career success, family relationships, social activities, leisure time, financial stability, and physical wellness. After deployment, they were surveyed again to assess changes in these areas.
Participants completed measures of PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and resilience.
Results showed that combat exposure significantly predicted changes in the priority given to career goals relative to relationship goals. Specifically, veterans who experienced more trauma during deployment were less likely to prioritize their relationships as much as their careers. The implications of this finding are far-reaching and significant, as it suggests that combat exposure may alter one's values and priorities in a way that can be harmful to personal relationships.
Further analysis suggested that this pattern was due to increased levels of postdeployment anxiety, which was itself influenced by combat exposure. In other words, the higher a soldier's level of combat exposure, the more anxious he or she felt after returning home from deployment. These feelings of anxiety then contributed to lower relationship satisfaction, as individuals struggled to balance the demands of work and family life.
This study highlights the complex psychological effects of combat exposure on military members and provides insight into how it affects their prioritization of key life domains. Future research should investigate whether these findings generalize to civilians exposed to similar experiences like natural disasters or war zones.
How does combat exposure influence the prioritization of relationship versus career goals?
Exposure to combat may lead individuals to prioritize their relationships over their careers due to feelings of guilt and fear associated with surviving while others did not. This can manifest as an increased need for emotional support and intimacy within personal relationships, leading to a shift in focus away from professional ambitions towards interpersonal connections.