In modern warfare, there is an increasing emphasis placed upon psychological health among military personnel. This is because the emotional toll that combat takes on soldiers can be immense, and their ability to cope with it may have long-term effects. Yet despite this importance, many studies have shown that soldiers often suffer from poor mental health due to a lack of proper psychological support during and after deployment. This article will explore how lack of psychological infrastructure influences soldiers' long-term emotional development.
Definition of Terms
Psychological infrastructure refers to the emotional and social resources available to individuals within a given environment. It includes both internal resources such as resilience, self-esteem, and optimism, as well as external resources like family and friends who provide support and reassurance. Lack of psychological infrastructure describes the absence of these critical components in one's life.
Psychological Infrastructure and Long-Term Emotional Development
A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found that veterans who received regular counseling or therapy while deployed had significantly lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who did not receive any help. The authors noted that this was likely due to the fact that veterans who felt more supported emotionally were better able to process their experiences and work through any trauma they experienced.
Research has shown that having strong social connections outside of the military is essential for veterans' mental health. When soldiers return home without the same level of psychological infrastructure they had before deployment, they are at increased risk for developing PTSD or other mental illnesses.
Providing adequate psychological infrastructure for military personnel can have lasting effects on their mental health. Without it, soldiers may struggle with processing difficult experiences and managing negative emotions, leading to long-term consequences for their overall wellbeing. By ensuring that soldiers have access to the resources they need during and after deployment, we can improve their chances of making a successful transition back into civilian life.
How does lack of psychological infrastructure influence soldiers' long-term emotional development?
Lacking psychological infrastructure can have an enormous impact on soldiers' long-term emotional development. Research suggests that the experience of war has lasting effects on mental health and well-being even decades after service ends. Soldiers who do not receive adequate support for their emotional needs during deployment may struggle with symptoms such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality.