People who are engaged in military activities face many challenges that can have a significant impact on their mental health and wellbeing. One such challenge is perceived unfair treatment within the military setting. This refers to situations where individuals feel they have been mistreated or disrespected by their colleagues or superiors. Research has shown that perceived relational fairness can significantly influence how people adapt to military stressors, including combat trauma, deployment separation, and reintegration into civilian life.
We will explore the ways in which perceived relational fairness affects psychological adaptation to military stressors. We will look at several studies that have examined this relationship and discuss how it may help explain why some individuals cope better than others in difficult circumstances.
We will consider what implications these findings might have for the broader field of psychology and social work.
Perceived Relationship Fairness
The concept of perceived relationship fairness is central to understanding how people respond to conflict and adversity. It refers to an individual's perception of whether they are being treated fairly in a given situation, based on their own personal values and expectations.
If someone feels like they have been unfairly treated by a superior officer, they may become angry and resentful, leading to negative emotions that could impede their ability to function effectively in combat or other high-stress environments.
Studies have found that individuals with higher levels of perceived relationship fairness tend to be more resilient in the face of challenges, while those who believe they are being treated unfairly often struggle to cope. One study found that soldiers who felt that their commanding officers were not treating them fairly during combat missions reported greater symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to those who believed they had received fair treatment. This suggests that feelings of unfairness can exacerbate PTSD symptoms, making it harder for individuals to recover from trauma.
Another study looked at how perceived relational fairness affected reintegration into civilian life after deployment. Soldiers who felt that they had been treated unfairly during their time in service tended to have more difficulty adjusting to civilian life, including problems with relationships, employment, and mental health. On the other hand, those who perceived that they had been treated fairly reported less difficulty readjusting to civilian life. This suggests that feeling mistreated can make it harder to adapt to civilian life, potentially increasing the risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Implications
The findings presented above suggest that perceived relational fairness is an important factor in psychological adaptation to military stressors. Individuals who feel mistreated may be more likely to experience negative emotions and behaviors, which could impede their ability to function effectively under pressure. In addition, this research has implications beyond the military context, suggesting that perceived relational fairness may play a role in many different types of conflict or adversity.
Studies on workplace conflicts have found that employees who believe they are being treated unfairly tend to experience higher levels of stress and burnout, while those who perceive fairness report lower levels of these outcomes. Similarly, couples therapy research has shown that individuals who feel like they are not being treated fairly by their partners often struggle to resolve conflict and maintain positive relationships.
This article demonstrates the importance of perceived relationship fairness for understanding psychological adaptation to difficult situations. By recognizing the impact of feelings of unfair treatment, we can better support individuals facing challenges and help them develop resilience and coping skills.
In what ways does perceived relational fairness affect psychological adaptation to military stressors?
According to researchers, perception of relational fairness plays an important role in how individuals adapt psychologically to military stressors (Military Psychology, 2015). Individuals who feel that they are being treated fairly by their superiors and colleagues may experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during times of military deployment and other forms of operational strain (Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2007).