It is important to understand what attachment patterns are. Attachment patterns refer to the ways in which individuals form attachments with others, based on their experiences and relationship history. These can vary from person to person, but typically involve the creation of an emotional bond with another individual that provides feelings of security, comfort, and safety. Exposure to combat risk can have a significant impact on these attachment patterns, as it may lead to changes in how individuals perceive themselves and others, and the world around them.
Soldiers who have experienced trauma during combat may become more distrustful of others, and less likely to form strong bonds due to fear of betrayal. This can result in difficulties forming healthy romantic relationships later in life.
We will explore relational expectations. Relational expectations refer to the beliefs and assumptions individuals hold about their relationships, including how they should look, feel, and behave. Exposure to combat risk can cause individuals to have different expectations for their relationships than those without this experience. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as increased stress levels or a heightened sense of vigilance.
Veterans who have experienced combat may assume that relationships must always have high levels of conflict and tension, leading them to seek out partners who are similarly aggressive or confrontational.
Exposure to war may make some individuals less likely to trust others, leading to difficulty building intimacy over time.
We will discuss emotional regulation. Emotional regulation refers to the ability to manage one's own emotions, both positive and negative. Combat exposure has been shown to affect this process by increasing sensitivity to certain stimuli, causing individuals to become easily triggered or overwhelmed. This can lead to difficulty managing emotions in everyday situations, such as dealing with relationship conflicts or stressful events. Veterans who have experienced combat may also struggle with reintegrating into civilian society, which can further impact their emotional regulation abilities.
How does exposure to combat risk shape attachment patterns, relational expectations, and emotional regulation?
Studies suggest that combat experience can lead to changes in attachment patterns and relational expectations. Combat experiences may cause individuals to form closer bonds with those they share similar experiences with, leading to increased trust and intimacy in relationships (Horn & Griest, 2014). This is known as the "battle buddy effect" (Casper et al. , 2008).