Exposure to Combat Trauma Shapes Soldiers' Relational Expectations
Soldiers who have been exposed to combat trauma have unique experiences that may affect their relationships. During combat situations, soldiers often witness and experience violence, death, and destruction, which can impact how they interact with others. Some soldiers develop strong bonds with fellow soldiers during combat and struggle to form close connections with civilians after returning home. Other soldiers find it difficult to trust people, even those closest to them. This phenomenon is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it affects many aspects of daily life, including relationships.
In addition to PTSD, combat exposure can also lead to changes in attachment patterns. Attachment theory proposes that all humans need secure, loving relationships to feel safe and protected. When this need goes unmet, individuals may develop insecure attachments styles such as avoidant or anxious/ambivalent. These patterns affect how they relate to romantic partners, friends, family members, and colleagues.
Someone with an avoidant attachment style may keep distance from others and resist closeness, while someone with an anxious/ambivalent attachment style might crave intimacy but fear rejection.
Soldiers who have experienced combat may find it challenging to connect emotionally with others because they are used to living with high levels of arousal and stress. They may become hypervigilant, always scanning for potential threats, making it hard to relax in social situations. It can be difficult to read nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions when you're constantly on alert. As a result, some soldiers may misinterpret social cues, leading to misunderstandings and conflict. Others may find themselves shutting down emotionally, withdrawing from their loved ones.
Soldiers who have been exposed to combat may struggle with intimacy issues due to the nature of their experiences. They may have difficulty trusting people, especially those outside of the military community. They may feel alienated from civilians who haven't shared their experiences. This can create tension in relationships and make it harder to form strong bonds.
PTSD symptoms such as nightmares and flashbacks can interfere with sleep and lead to irritability and mood swings. All of these factors can strain even the most supportive relationship.
Exposure to combat trauma shapes soldiers' relational expectations and attachment patterns in several ways. The effects of combat can make it challenging for them to connect emotionally, read social cues, or feel safe and secure in close relationships.
Therapy and other treatments can help soldiers build healthier relationships and manage their symptoms. Supportive friends and family members also play a crucial role in helping veterans adjust to civilian life. By understanding how combat affects soldiers' relational expectations and attachment patterns, we can better support our service members during and after deployment.
In what ways does exposure to combat trauma shape soldiers' relational expectations and attachment patterns?
Exposure to combat trauma has been shown to have profound effects on soldiers' relational expectations and attachment patterns. Studies have suggested that veterans with PTSD are more likely to experience difficulties forming close relationships due to their hypervigilance for potential threats and increased distrust of others (Yehuda & Bierer, 2016).