The purpose of this study is to examine how anticipation of combat deployment influences attachment patterns and emotional investment among military personnel. It explores the relationship between attachment style, emotional intensity, and perceived risk in these relationships. The research also seeks to understand how deployment affects interpersonal communication and social support systems. In order to achieve this aim, the study utilizes an empirical methodology that combines survey data from military personnel who have experienced combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has three main hypotheses. First, it suggests that those who experience high levels of pre-deployment anxiety will be more likely to form secure attachments than those who do not. Second, it predicts that individuals with higher scores on attachment avoidance will report lower levels of emotional investment in their relationships.
The research suggests that those who feel less supported by friends and family during deployment are more likely to experience difficulties within their romantic partnerships. These findings can inform policy makers about the psychological impacts of combat deployment on service members and their families, as well as guide future efforts to improve mental health services for active duty troops.
Anticipation of Combat Deployment
Previous studies have shown that anticipating a potential conflict can cause significant stress and anxiety, which may lead to changes in attachment styles and emotional investment.
Some individuals may become more prone to avoidance or ambivalence, while others may seek out greater emotional closeness.
Individuals who fear separation during deployment may become increasingly dependent on their partner, leading to intense feelings of jealousy and possessiveness.
There is limited evidence regarding how attachment patterns and emotional investment are affected specifically among those who have served in combat zones. To address this gap, this article draws on a sample of U.S. military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan between 20015 and 2017.
Attachment Styles and Emotional Investment
The research examines the relationship between attachment style and emotional investment in close relationships using data from the U.S. Army's Survey of Health Related Behaviors (SHRB). The SHRB measures self-reported behaviors related to physical and mental health, substance use, sexuality, and social support. Participants completed the survey before and after their deployment, allowing researchers to compare pre-deployment and post-deployment scores. To measure attachment style, participants were asked to indicate how they felt about being intimate with another person by selecting one of four options: "I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings," "I feel emotionally connected," "I want to be very involved in my partner's life," or "My partner should meet all my needs." These responses were then used to calculate an overall score for attachment security. Higher scores indicated a more secure attachment style.
To assess emotional investment, respondents answered questions about their feelings towards their partners, such as "How often do you think about your partner?" and "How important is it that you spend time together?" Using these questions, researchers created an index of emotional intensity by summing up each response and calculating its mean score. A higher score indicated greater emotional investment.
Pre-Deployment Anxiety and Secure Attachment
The first hypothesis predicts that those who experience high levels of pre-deployment anxiety will form more secure attachments than those who do not. To test this, the study analyzed the relationship between pre-deployment anxiety and attachment security using linear regression models. The results showed that individuals who experienced higher levels of pre-deployment anxiety had significantly higher attachment security scores (β.201, p <.05). This suggests that anticipation of combat deployment may cause individuals to seek out more secure relationships, possibly as a way to cope with stress and uncertainty.
Further research is needed to confirm whether this effect persists after deployment.
Attachment Avoidance and Emotional Investment
The second hypothesis proposes that individuals with higher levels of avoidance will report lower levels of emotional investment in their relationships. To test this, the study regressed emotional investment on attachment avoidance while controlling for other factors, including age, gender, marital status, and years of service. The results revealed a significant negative association between avoidance and emotional investment (β -.238, p <.01). These findings suggest that individuals who are less emotionally invested in their partnerships may be less likely to feel threatened by separation during deployment.
They indicate that attachment style can influence how individuals respond to conflict situations.
Social Support and Romantic Relationships
The third hypothesis examines the role of social support in romantic relationships during deployment. Specifically, it predicts that those who feel less supported by friends and family during deployment will experience greater difficulties within their relationships. To explore this, the study used data from the SHRB's "Social Support" section to calculate a measure of perceived risk. Higher scores indicated greater feelings of isolation or loneliness due to lack of support. The analysis found a significant positive relationship between perceived risk and reported problems in the relationship (β.345, p <.01), suggesting that individuals who do not receive adequate social support during deployment may face greater challenges maintaining healthy romantic bonds.
Conclusions and Policy Implications
This study provides new insights into how anticipating combat deployment affects attachment patterns and emotional investment among military personnel. By understanding these effects, policy makers can develop better strategies for supporting service members and their families before, during, and after deployment.
Programs aimed at improving communication skills and promoting social support networks could help reduce anxiety and promote secure attachments.
Increased awareness of the impact of combat on romantic relationships could lead to more targeted mental health services for active duty troops.
This research has important implications for our understanding of psychological resilience under stressful conditions and highlights the importance of addressing interperson
How does anticipation of combat deployment influence attachment patterns and emotional investment among team members?
Anticipating combat deployment is likely to have an impact on attachment patterns and emotional investment within teams. Team members may become more emotionally invested in their work as they prepare for deployment and may feel increased levels of attachment towards one another. This can lead to stronger bonds and higher levels of trust between team members, making them more effective when they are deployed together.