How do hormonal stress responses during combat or prolonged alertness influence soldiers' emotional expressiveness, impulses, and relational tendencies?
When soldiers are placed under intense physical and psychological strain during combat or extended periods of alertness, their bodies release hormones that can impact their emotions, impulses, and relationships. These changes may be subtle but can have profound effects on how they interact with others and respond to stressors. In this article, I will discuss how these hormonal changes affect emotional expressiveness, impulsivity, and relational tendencies in soldiers.
Emotional Expressiveness
Soldiers who experience high levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline may become less emotionally expressive. This is because these hormones suppress the brain regions responsible for empathy and emotion regulation, leading to reduced sensitivity to social cues and difficulty recognizing and responding to emotional states in others. Soldiers may also find it difficult to convey their own emotions effectively due to increased physiological arousal and decreased mental clarity. This can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and difficulties building strong relationships with comrades and family members.
Impulsivity
Hormonal changes during combat or prolonged alertness can also increase impulsivity. Adrenaline and cortisol can heighten arousal and reduce cognitive control, making it harder for soldiers to consider consequences before acting. They may act rashly or react aggressively when faced with perceived threats, potentially damaging relationships with teammates and civilians. In addition, elevated testosterone levels can increase competitiveness and aggression, contributing to conflict and hostility.
Relationships
Changes in hormone levels can also impact soldiers' relational tendencies. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can lead to a reduction in the release of oxytocin, which plays a crucial role in bonding and trust-building. As a result, soldiers may become more guarded and distant from their peers and loved ones, creating barriers to intimacy and connection.
High levels of testosterone can promote sexual behavior outside of committed relationships, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
How do hormonal stress responses during combat or prolonged alertness influence soldiers' emotional expressiveness, impulses, and relational tendencies?
Hormones play an important role in regulating various physiological processes of humans, including their behavioral response to situations that may be perceived as threatening. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is involved in the release of cortisol, which has been shown to increase in response to acute stressors such as combat situations or prolonged alertness.