Violence is an unavoidable aspect of warfare, which has a significant impact on soldiers' psychological well-being. Exposure to violence can result in trauma that causes long-lasting effects on their lives. It alters their internal models of trust, intimacy, and emotional reciprocity, thereby affecting their relationship with others, particularly family members. This paper discusses how violence reshapes these elements for soldiers.
Exposure to violence results in traumatic experiences, which significantly influence soldiers' perception of trustworthiness in people around them. They become suspicious of people they meet, believing that everyone wants to harm them. Consequently, they find it difficult to form meaningful relationships because they struggle to build trust with others. Moreover, the experience of betrayal by their colleagues during the war makes them question whether anyone can be trusted. The lack of trust translates into difficulty forming deep connections with friends, family members, or romantic partners as they fear being hurt again.
Violence disrupts soldiers' intimate relationships since they develop feelings of detachment from those close to them. Violence makes them feel isolated and helpless, leading to difficulties expressing their feelings and understanding others' needs. Soldiers also exhibit behavior changes such as aggression, irritability, and mood swings, making them prone to withdrawal from social interactions. These behaviors lead to strained relationships, particularly with partners who do not understand what they are going through. As a result, soldiers may engage in infidelity or abusive behavior toward their spouses, further damaging the relationship.
Exposure to violence has an effect on soldiers' ability to reciprocate emotionally. It leads to difficulties regulating their emotions, resulting in outbursts of anger or depression. Such emotional instability causes problems in responding appropriately to other people's emotions, thereby affecting communication. Soldiers may fail to recognize nonverbal cues, causing misunderstandings and conflicts with loved ones.
They may have difficulty identifying their own emotions, leading to difficulties communicating them effectively. These effects extend beyond their military service life, impacting their personal lives for many years afterward.
Violence reshapes soldiers' internal models of trust, intimacy, and emotional reciprocity by influencing their perceptions of trustworthiness, causing isolation, and compromising their ability to communicate. Therefore, it is essential that families provide support to soldiers affected by war-related trauma to help them recover and rebuild healthy relationships. Proper treatment and therapy can enable soldiers to overcome these challenges and build meaningful connections outside the battlefield.
How does exposure to violence reshape soldiers' internal models of trust, intimacy, and emotional reciprocity?
The experience of war changes how individuals perceive and interact with others, often leading to long-term effects on their relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners. Exposure to violence can lead to feelings of mistrust, isolation, and fear, which can impact one's ability to form close relationships. Additionally, veterans may have difficulty processing emotions, making it challenging to communicate effectively and establish emotional reciprocity with loved ones.