The experience of war is unique to each soldier. They are exposed to extreme violence, death, fear, trauma, and stress. These experiences change their mental state, behavior, and emotions. When they return home from active duty, soldiers must adjust to civilian life, which can be challenging for many reasons. One significant challenge is interpreting relational closeness, as the emotional regulation strategies they have learned in battle may conflict with civilian norms. To understand this phenomenon better, it is necessary to examine how soldiers develop these strategies during combat and how they apply them in non-combat settings. In this article, we will explore the impact of military training on emotional regulation and its implications for close relationships. We will also discuss how soldiers interpret relational closeness when their emotional regulation strategies developed in combat conflict with civilians.
One common emotional regulation strategy used in combat is detachment. Soldiers learn to separate themselves emotionally from their surroundings to perform their duties without becoming overwhelmed or distracted. This detachment allows them to focus on survival and complete their mission objectives.
This same skill can lead to difficulties in civilian life, where intimacy requires vulnerability and openness. Soldiers may struggle to connect emotionally with others, leading to tension, misunderstandings, and loneliness.
A veteran who uses detachment as an emotional regulation strategy in combat may find it difficult to express love and affection towards their partner. Their detached mentality makes it hard for them to show vulnerability and intimacy that partners need to feel secure and connected.
Another emotional regulation strategy used in combat is repression. Soldiers learn to push down their feelings to maintain mental clarity and function under stress. Repression involves suppressing negative thoughts and emotions by avoidance or suppression. When soldiers return home, they may continue this coping mechanism, leading to problems in their personal lives.
A soldier may have difficulty processing grief or other challenging emotions due to their experiences in battle. They may be unable to talk about traumatic events or even acknowledge the impact of war on their well-being, causing friction with loved ones.
The military also teaches soldiers to prioritize group loyalty above all else, including family members. This loyalty extends beyond military service, making it difficult for soldiers to balance their commitments to duty and their relationships. Many veterans report feeling torn between their roles as soldiers and parents, spouses, or children. They may find themselves questioning whether they are giving enough time and attention to their families or if their military obligations are more important. These struggles can lead to conflict, resentment, and distance within close relationships.
To cope with these difficulties, many soldiers turn to alcohol, drugs, or other substances to self-medicate. The use of these substances can further strain close relationships by creating tension and conflict.
Soldiers who struggle with addictive behaviors may neglect responsibilities and become unreliable partners or parents.
Soldiers develop various strategies to cope with the rigors of combat.
When these strategies conflict with civilian norms, they can create difficulties in close relationships. Understanding how soldiers interpret relational closeness helps us support them better during transition periods and promotes healing from trauma. By recognizing these challenges, we can provide targeted interventions and resources that address their unique needs and help them build healthy relationships at home.
How do soldiers interpret relational closeness when emotional regulation strategies developed in combat conflict with civilian relational norms?
Soldiers may experience difficulty interpreting relational closeness due to their unique emotional regulation strategies developed during combat that conflict with civilians' relational norms. While soldiers are trained to suppress emotions for safety reasons, civilians often express their emotions freely and openly. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications between soldiers and those around them, making it difficult for soldiers to gauge appropriate levels of intimacy and closeness within relationships.