Interpersonal pressure is the force that individuals experience when they are exposed to various types of social situations, including military ones. This kind of pressure can come from one's family, friends, coworkers, partners, bosses, society, or even enemies. It affects one's psychological health negatively, making them feel inadequate, depressed, anxious, or stressed out. In this regard, soldiers often find themselves under high interpersonal pressures due to their profession's unique nature. The training process, deployment, missions, and combat conditions all contribute to their mental health issues. While some people might be able to cope with these stressors successfully, others may develop self-doubt, poor self-worth, and a lack of belonging within the group. How does accumulated interpersonal pressure influence soldiers' self-worth and their perception of belonging within the group?
Self-Worth
One aspect that gets affected by interpersonal pressure among soldiers is their self-worth. Soldiers tend to view themselves as less competent than other members of their unit because of negative peer comparisons. They see how physically fit, skilled, brave, courageous, determined, or intelligent their fellow comrades are while they think that they do not measure up to those standards. As a result, they feel inferior and unworthy.
When they go through rigorous physical exercise, their peers perform better than them. When they engage in dangerous situations during deployment, others seem more daring and fearless. Even when they get promoted, their colleagues seem more deserving than them. This feeling of inadequacy causes them to doubt themselves, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Perception of Belonging
Another effect of interpersonal pressure on soldiers is their perception of belonging within the group. Soldiers feel that they do not belong to their units because they are seen as weak or incompetent compared to others. They often isolate themselves from their colleagues since they believe that they do not have anything to contribute to the team. They fail to find common ground with their superiors since they cannot match their skills or expertise. Consequently, they struggle to create lasting relationships with anyone around them.
This lack of belonging makes them feel lonely and isolated.
Coping Strategies
Soldiers who face these issues must develop coping strategies to maintain their mental health. One way is by seeking professional help, such as therapy or counseling, to work on their self-doubt and insecurities. They should also seek out positive social interactions outside of military life to build healthy relationships with civilians. Engaging in sports or hobbies helps to distract them from negative thoughts about themselves and their unit members.
Soldiers can use mindfulness techniques like deep breathing exercises to calm down and relax their minds.
Accumulated interpersonal pressure influences soldiers' self-worth and their perception of belonging within the group. It makes them feel inferior and unworthy of being part of the group.
With the right coping strategies, soldiers can overcome these challenges and thrive in their profession.
How does accumulated interpersonal pressure influence soldiers' self-worth and their perception of belonging within the group?
In military settings, social support from comrades is an integral part of mental health. Individuals who are left alone during times of high stress may experience anxiety and depression, which can lead to suicide if not addressed promptly. It is essential that they understand how they fit into the community and that they receive adequate encouragement and recognition for their contributions.