When soldiers are under stressful conditions for prolonged periods, they may experience heightened feelings of fear and anxiety which can lead to an increased need for closeness and support from others.
These needs may be difficult to communicate due to the stigma associated with expressing vulnerability in military culture. This can lead to soldiers misunderstanding relational gestures from friends and loved ones, potentially straining their relationships. In this article, I will explore how habituated emotional suppression affects soldiers' perception of intimacy and trust, and how these factors can impact their ability to interpret relational gestures.
Soldiers who have been deployed often report feeling isolated and lonely despite being surrounded by people. They may find it difficult to form meaningful connections with those around them because they feel unable to open up about their experiences. When they do share their thoughts and feelings, they may be met with silence or dismissal, further reinforcing the idea that expressing vulnerability is unacceptable. As a result, soldiers become accustomed to suppressing their emotions, leading to difficulty interpreting relational gestures like eye contact, touch, and tone of voice.
Soldiers may misinterpret friendly banter as flirtation or romantic interest. This can cause tension and confusion within units, especially if the soldier has not developed close friendships outside of work. It can also create a sense of mistrust, as soldiers may feel like they cannot rely on their comrades for support when needed.
Soldiers may struggle to recognize non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions, which are critical to understanding someone else's intentions. Without context or background information, a gesture like a pat on the back could be interpreted as aggressive rather than reassuring. This can lead to misunderstandings and potential conflict, making it harder for soldiers to build strong relationships with others.
It is important for military leaders to understand how habituated emotional suppression affects soldiers' perception of intimacy and trust in order to support healthy communication practices. Soldiers should be encouraged to share their experiences without fear of judgment or retaliation, and peers should be trained to respond appropriately to these disclosures. By fostering an environment where soldiers feel safe and supported, we can help them interpret relational gestures more accurately and improve unit cohesion.
This article provides insight into how soldiers' experiences during deployment impact their ability to interpret relational gestures from loved ones. With increased awareness and support, we can ensure that our troops receive the emotional connection they need to thrive both on and off duty.
How do soldiers interpret relational gestures when habituated emotional suppression alters their perception of intimacy and trust?
Relational gestures are interpreted differently by soldiers who have been trained to suppress their emotions due to their military training. Soldiers may become more guarded and suspicious of others' motives as they develop a distrustful attitude towards intimacy and closeness with others. This can lead them to misinterpret relational gestures as being insincere or manipulative, which can further damage their relationships with family members, friends, and colleagues.