Attachment is an emotional bond that develops between people who are close to each other. It can be formed through physical touch, verbal communication, and shared experiences. Attachment styles refer to how individuals form attachments in their lives, including romantic relationships, friendships, family bonds, and workplace connections. Relational strategies refer to the tactics people use to maintain and strengthen these attachments. In this article, I will examine how extreme operational exposure shapes attachment and relational strategies.
Extreme Operational Exposure
Extreme operational exposure refers to situations where individuals face life-threatening conditions or challenges that require extraordinary efforts to survive. These include war zones, natural disasters, combat, terrorist attacks, hostage situations, abductions, or accidents. Individuals experiencing extreme operational exposure may feel fearful for their safety, which affects their ability to form secure attachments. They often have to focus all their energy on survival, making it difficult to establish healthy relationships.
They may experience trauma due to witnessing death, injury, or suffering, which impacts their emotions and behavior.
Shaping Attachment Styles
Individuals with secure attachment styles tend to seek support from others during times of stress.
When facing extreme operational exposure, they may not receive such support because they must prioritize survival above social needs. This can lead to insecure attachments, such as avoidant or anxious patterns, where individuals distance themselves from others or become clingy, respectively. Extreme operational exposure also increases the risk of developing disorganized attachment, characterized by inconsistent behaviors and beliefs about relationships.
Shaping Relational Strategies
Extreme operational exposure also influences relational strategies. Individuals may be less likely to trust others due to past experiences, leading to defensive communication and distancing. They may engage in aggressive or controlling behaviors to protect themselves and their loved ones. In addition, they may develop a sense of hypervigilance, constantly scanning for threats and being suspicious of others' intentions. These tactics are essential for survival but make it challenging to build intimate connections.
Extreme operational exposure shapes attachment and relational strategies by making it more difficult to establish secure attachments, increasing the risk of insecurity, and influencing communication and behavior. Understanding these effects is crucial for supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and helping them reestablish healthy relationships.
In what ways does extreme operational exposure shape attachment and relational strategies?
Extreme operational exposure is often linked with increased risk for developing PTSD symptoms, such as reexperiencing of trauma, avoidance, hyperarousal, and intrusive thoughts (Kennedy & Averill, 2016). Individuals who are exposed to traumatic events may form strong attachments to others to manage their distress.