When deployed soldiers experience stressful situations that affect their brain function, they may exhibit different behaviors than those in non-deployment settings. These changes can impact how soldiers interact with others and perceive relational signals from partners. In this article, we will explore how changes in cognitive and emotional states during deployments can influence soldier's perceptions of relational signals.
Let us define what relational signals are. Relational signals refer to verbal and nonverbal cues that indicate the presence or absence of romantic interest between individuals. These include physical touches, eye contact, flirtatious language, and body language. When soldiers communicate with family members while deployed, they may display these signs differently due to altered cognitive processing and emotions.
Deployment-related cognitive shifts such as increased vigilance, hypervigilance, and impulsivity can impact how soldiers interpret relational signals.
When a soldier feels anxious or threatened due to combat-related stress, they may misinterpret innocent gestures as aggressive or hostile. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflict in relationships.
Deployment-induced sleep deprivation and fatigue can interfere with attention and decision-making processes, making it challenging for soldiers to accurately interpret subtle cues.
Emotional shifts caused by deployment can also affect relational signal interpretation. Soldiers who experience high levels of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have difficulty recognizing positive relational signals from loved ones. They may be preoccupied with negative thoughts and feelings instead of paying attention to social cues.
Trauma exposure during deployment can lead to distrust of others and suspiciousness towards intimate partners.
Deployments can cause changes in cognitive and emotional states that affect how soldiers perceive relational signals. By understanding how these factors shape soldier's behavior, we can better support them and their relationships during times of deployment.
How do soldiers interpret relational signals differently due to cognitive or emotional shifts caused by deployment?
The experience of deployment can have significant effects on both the cognitive and emotional functioning of military personnel. Deployment may lead to changes in brain structure and function, including increased stress levels, altered hormone regulation, and reduced activity in certain areas of the brain associated with emotion regulation and social processing (e. g. , amygdala).