The experience of deployment can be stressful for military personnel, leading to increased levels of anxiety and depression upon return. Relationships are an important part of life that may provide social support, but how does this support affect mental health outcomes after deployment? Research has shown that positive relationship characteristics such as trust, companionship, and emotional closeness can buffer the effects of deployment-related stress on psychological well-being. This suggests that relational support may play a crucial role in mediating post-deployment symptoms of anxiety and depression.
One study found that soldiers who reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction during deployment were less likely to develop new cases of major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder compared to those who did not.
Strong relationships have been linked to lower rates of relapse among individuals diagnosed with these conditions. These findings suggest that maintaining healthy relationships during deployment could be key to preventing the development of future mental health problems.
Relational support may also help reduce perceived stress and improve mood in veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a common condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and memories, avoidance behaviors, negative alterations in cognitions and moods, and hyperarousal symptoms. Relationship quality has been associated with reduced severity of these symptoms among veterans, indicating that social support from family and friends can mitigate the impact of trauma exposure.
Relationship quality appears to predict resilience in veterans with PTSD. Resilience refers to the ability to cope effectively with adversity and maintain well-being despite challenges. In one study, veterans who reported greater marital support showed better coping abilities than those with low relational support, suggesting that positive relationships may promote resilience even in the face of trauma.
Relational support plays an important role in mediating anxiety and depressive symptoms post-deployment. Maintaining healthy relationships during deployment can buffer the effects of stress on mental health outcomes, while social support from family and friends may reduce PTSD symptoms and promote resilience. Therefore, military personnel should prioritize nurturing their relationships throughout deployment to ensure optimal psychological functioning upon return.
What is the role of relational support in mediating anxiety and depressive symptoms post-deployment?
Relational support can play an important role in helping individuals cope with anxiety and depression during and after deployment. Research has shown that social support from family members, friends, and other sources can provide a sense of stability and security, which may help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression (Smith et al. , 2017).