As humans, we are social creatures who rely heavily on interpersonal connections for our survival. In fact, research has shown that having supportive relationships is crucial for maintaining good mental health and well-being.
When one partner in a couple experiences trauma such as warfare, this can have significant effects on their relationship. One way to mitigate these effects is through relational resilience, which involves adapting positively to adversity together as a couple. But how does this happen? What psychological processes underlie relational resilience in combat-exposed couples?
It's important to understand that traumatic events can have profound impacts on individuals' perceptions of themselves, others, and the world around them.
Soldiers returning from war may feel isolated, anxious, depressed, or hypervigilant due to the stress they experienced during deployment. These symptoms can negatively affect their relationships with loved ones, leading to feelings of disconnection, distrust, and even fear. To overcome this, couples must work together to reestablish trust and intimacy by engaging in open communication and active listening. They should also strive to create shared meaning through joint activities and goals. This helps build a sense of connection and mutual understanding, which can strengthen their relationship and promote resilience.
Combat-exposed couples need to develop skills for managing conflict constructively. When conflicts arise, partners must learn to communicate effectively and empathetically rather than becoming defensive or withdrawing. They can do this by practicing active listening, validating each other's emotions, and taking turns speaking and listening. This allows them to resolve conflicts without hurting one another and builds a stronger bond based on respect and understanding.
Couples must maintain realistic expectations about their relationship. This means accepting that there will be challenges but committing to working through them as a team. It also means recognizing that each partner has unique needs and experiences, which can influence how they respond to adversity. By being supportive and flexible, couples can find ways to meet these needs while still preserving their individual identities.
Relational resilience in combat-exposed couples involves adapting positively to trauma by fostering open communication, constructive conflict resolution, and realistic expectations. Understanding the psychological processes behind this process is crucial for helping individuals and couples navigate stressful situations more successfully. With support and effort, couples can emerge from trauma with stronger bonds and a greater sense of self-esteem.
What psychological processes underlie relational resilience in combat-exposed couples?
Relational resilience refers to an individual's ability to maintain strong and healthy relationships despite challenging circumstances such as combat exposure. Research suggests that there are several psychological processes underlying this resilience, including cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, empathic understanding, and social support. Cognitive flexibility involves being able to adapt one's thinking patterns to new information and situations, while emotional regulation involves managing stress and negative emotions effectively.