Psychological and Relational Consequences of Maintaining Dual Identities Over Long Military Careers
Many people who serve in the military for prolonged periods of time find themselves navigating multiple social spheres simultaneously, including their home life and their work life. This can lead to what is known as a "dual identity" where they have to balance being both the person they present themselves as in public and the person they are when they are with family or friends. This article will explore the psychological and relational consequences that can arise from maintaining dual identities over long military careers.
Psychological Consequences
Maintaining a dual identity can be mentally taxing, particularly if the individual feels like they need to constantly monitor their behavior and language in order to fit into different environments. It can also cause confusion about one's own sense of self and create feelings of dissociation. In some cases, it may even contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Individuals may experience difficulty regulating emotions because they are trying to hold back certain reactions or experiences in one environment while expressing them in another. All of these factors can take a toll on an individual's well-being and make it difficult to form strong relationships with others.
Relational Consequences
The psychological effects of maintaining a dual identity can also manifest in interpersonal relationships.
An individual may find it difficult to connect deeply with someone else due to feeling like they cannot fully express themselves or share their true thoughts and feelings. They may feel isolated or alone, which can lead to loneliness and decreased satisfaction with their personal lives. There may also be difficulties in communication and trust between partners or family members who do not understand why the individual behaves differently at home than they do at work.
Ways to Mitigate the Effects
There are several ways that individuals can try to mitigate the negative effects of maintaining a dual identity over time. One approach is to set clear boundaries between work and home life, which can help to prevent the two from bleeding into each other and create more distinction between them. Another approach is to engage in activities outside of work that allow for creative expression and release of tension so that there is less pressure to keep up the facade when interacting with coworkers. It may also be helpful to seek therapy or counseling to process any negative emotions related to navigating multiple identities and develop strategies for managing them effectively.
What are the psychological and relational consequences of maintaining dual identities over long military careers?
The following is an attempt at addressing the question "What are the psychological and relational consequences of maintaining dual identities over long military careers?" In the past decade, there has been increased recognition of the challenges faced by service members who maintain multiple social roles, such as family member, friend, civilian worker, community member, etc. , while also fulfilling their duties as soldiers or sailors.