Soldiers deployed to military operations are often exposed to various physical and emotional stresses that can have detrimental effects on their health and wellbeing. One of these stressors is the disruption of social interactions, including those involving romantic partnerships and friendships. Biological markers of stress, such as cortisol levels and heart rate variability, play an important role in how individuals manage their interpersonal relations during deployment. In this article, I will explore how biological markers of stress influence soldiers' ability to handle relational challenges during deployment.
When soldiers experience high levels of chronic stress, they may become less resilient to negative events and more likely to engage in maladaptive behaviors like aggression or substance abuse. This can lead to strains on their personal relationships and reduce their overall quality of life. Studies suggest that soldiers who experience higher levels of stress also tend to exhibit lower levels of oxytocin, which is a hormone associated with empathy and bonding. Oxytocin plays a key role in regulating mood, anxiety, and social behavior, so its reduced availability may make it difficult for soldiers to maintain close connections with loved ones.
The impact of stress on soldiers' ability to connect with others can be particularly pronounced during deployments, where they are separated from their families and friends for extended periods of time. During deployment, soldiers may feel isolated, lonely, and depressed due to lack of social support. They may also find it difficult to maintain intimate relationships with romantic partners, as they struggle to cope with the emotional demands of military service.
Soldiers deployed overseas may face unique cultural differences and language barriers that complicate their attempts at forming new relationships.
One potential way to mitigate the effects of stress on soldiers' relational challenges is through interventions that focus on reducing physiological arousal and increasing positive affect.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques have been shown to improve soldiers' resilience by helping them regulate their heart rate variability and cortisol levels. These techniques may help soldiers better manage their feelings of isolation and loneliness while deployed, leading to improved social functioning upon return home.
Biological markers of stress play an important role in how soldiers navigate the complexities of military life. By understanding these factors, we can develop more effective strategies for supporting soldiers' psychosocial health during deployment and beyond.
How do biological markers of stress influence soldiers' ability to manage relational challenges during deployment?
The biological changes that occur during stressful situations can affect the way people perceive and interact with others. One particular example is the release of cortisol, which can cause feelings of irritability and increased aggression towards those who we view as threatening or dangerous. This effect can make it difficult for deployed soldiers to effectively manage interpersonal relationships and potentially lead to conflict with their partners back home.