Soldiers' relationships can be affected by various factors during wartime, such as isolation, stress, separation, trauma, and death. These situations create challenges that can impact relationship dynamics, resulting in emotional distance between partners.
Some researchers suggest that emotional closeness may help individuals regulate their emotions while facing these challenges, leading to more stable relationships despite the external circumstances. Soldiers who feel emotionally close to their partner may experience less distress due to a greater sense of support, trust, and understanding. This connection can serve as an anchor when things get tough, providing comfort and security. In addition, soldiers often rely on their partner for emotional stability, which can make them feel connected even if physically apart. The level of emotional closeness and its effectiveness as a self-regulatory mechanism vary depending on the situation, context, and individual characteristics, including personality, coping strategies, and resilience.
Some studies have found that emotional closeness can buffer against negative outcomes associated with war, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Married soldiers reported lower levels of PTSD symptoms compared to unmarried soldiers, suggesting that marriage can provide a supportive environment for self-regulation. Similarly, soldiers who felt emotionally closer to their partner had lower rates of depression than those who did not.
Emotional closeness appears to play a vital role in stabilizing soldiers' mental health, reducing anxiety, and promoting resiliency in the face of adversity.
High levels of emotional closeness can also lead to volatility in relationships, particularly during times of crisis or trauma. When soldiers experience intense emotions, they may feel overwhelmed by their partner's needs, leading to conflict and resentment.
The stress of war can cause emotional distance, creating misunderstandings and communication breakdowns between partners. Soldiers may withdraw emotionally due to fear, guilt, or shame, while their partner may become frustrated or distant in response. This cycle can exacerbate existing relationship issues, leading to increased tension and instability. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance between emotional closeness and distance, allowing for both connection and independence.
Emotional closeness serves as a form of self-regulation for soldiers confronted with the chaos of war but can also influence the stability or volatility of their relationships. While closeness provides support and security, it requires awareness and effort to maintain healthy boundaries and communicate effectively. By understanding these dynamics, soldiers and their partners can create strong, resilient relationships despite the challenges of wartime.
To what extent does emotional closeness serve as a form of self-regulation for soldiers confronted with the chaos of war, and how might this influence the stability or volatility of their relationships?
Emotional closeness is an important aspect of social support that can be used by soldiers to regulate their emotions during periods of intense stress and chaos on the battlefield. Studies have shown that soldiers who feel emotionally close to their comrades tend to experience lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after returning from deployment compared to those who do not feel emotionally close to others (Park et al. , 2019).