Soldiers are often required to make decisions about their personal lives while they are away from home for extended periods of time. They may find themselves in situations where it is difficult to tell whether someone they have become close to during this time is actually an acquaintance or a true friend. In order to differentiate between these two types of relationships, soldiers must be able to identify specific factors that indicate the level of closeness that exists between them and another person.
One key factor is the amount of emotional investment made in the relationship. Soldiers who are genuinely attached to someone will likely put more effort into maintaining contact and communicating regularly than those who are just in a casual situation. This could include sending emails or messages frequently, making phone calls when possible, and keeping up with social media accounts even if the other person isn't posting much. Authentic attachment also involves feeling comfortable enough to share personal details about one's life and experiences, as well as receiving similar disclosures from the other person. On the other hand, situational closeness tends to involve less intimate communication and fewer shared experiences.
Another important indicator of authentic attachment is how each person feels about the other's successes and failures. Genuine friends and loved ones will celebrate each other's accomplishments and offer support during challenging times. Situational relationships don't necessarily entail such intense emotions; instead, people involved may simply see each other as companions in a specific context without any long-term plans or expectations.
It can be difficult for soldiers to determine which type of relationship they have developed while away from home.
By paying attention to the level of emotional investment, comfort with sharing personal information, and reactions to life events, they can get a better sense of whether their bond is truly deep or superficial.
How do soldiers distinguish between situational emotional closeness and authentic attachment?
Soldiers may differentiate between situational emotional closeness and authentic attachment through various factors such as duration of interaction with their comrades, level of trust, shared experiences, personal values, and long-term goals. While situational emotional closeness involves temporary bonds that form during intense experiences like combat, authentic attachment is based on deeper connections and long-term relationships that are built over time.