During war, it is common for soldiers to develop new attachments out of necessity. These can be physical, emotional, and psychological bonds that help them survive the traumatic conditions they find themselves in.
These new connections often create an emotional dissonance between them and their pre-war partners, leading to feelings of jealousy, betrayal, and mistrust. In this article, we will explore how couples cope with such situations.
Warfare involves extreme stressors like combat, death, destruction, displacement, and violence. Soldiers must be physically and mentally strong to survive these experiences and protect their country's interests. To cope with the stresses of war, they may form close relationships with comrades-in-arms, medical personnel, or locals. The resulting intimacy is natural, but it creates tension when wartime partners return home. Their pre-existing romantic partners feel left behind, betrayed, and rejected due to perceived infidelity. They may also fear abandonment as their spouse tries to integrate into civilian life again.
The new attachments may become a distraction from family responsibilities like childcare, finances, and household management.
Coping Strategies:
Couples can use various strategies to manage the emotional dissonance caused by wartime attachments. One approach is open communication, where both parties discuss their feelings and concerns. This allows them to understand each other's perspectives and work towards a solution together. Another strategy is setting boundaries, which means establishing rules for acceptable behavior regarding time, physical contact, and personal space. Couples should also recognize that their relationship has changed and adjust accordingly.
They might schedule regular date nights, prioritize time alone, or seek counseling.
They could consider ending the relationship if the damage is irreparable, but this decision requires careful consideration.
Developing new attachments during wartime is inevitable and understandable.
Couples must be aware of its impact on existing relationships and take steps to address any issues that arise. Open communication, boundary-setting, and self-reflection are essential strategies for coping with the emotional dissonance created. If needed, seeking professional help can provide additional support and guidance.
How do couples cope with the emotional dissonance created when wartime partners develop new attachments that serve survival but disrupt pre-war relationships?
When couples face emotional dissonance due to new attachments developed by their war-time partners during times of survival, they may experience various coping strategies depending on their individual personalities and belief systems. Some may choose to forgive and accept these new bonds as a necessary part of the partner's survival mechanism, while others may feel hurt and betrayed.