Soldiers are known to be tough people who can handle challenges without fear or hesitation. But they also have an intricate inner life, which involves their personal experiences and feelings that need to be managed in different situations. One way they cope is through integrating relational learning into their broader coping, adaptation, and resilience strategies. This article will explore how soldiers use this technique to overcome difficult moments and build stronger relationships with themselves and others around them. It will showcase the benefits of relational learning for soldier's well-being, explain its components, and highlight some examples from real-life stories. Keep reading!
What is Relational Learning?
Relational learning is a concept developed by Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist and author of 'Hold On To Your Kids.' He explains it as "the process of internalizing a relationship" between oneself and another person, group, or object. According to Neufeld, this is essential for creating strong bonds between individuals based on mutual trust, respect, care, affection, empathy, and support. In his theory, the more secure one feels in their relationship with another person, the better able they are to tolerate stress and uncertainty, regulate emotions, form close connections with others, and achieve goals. Moreover, this connection enables us to share our vulnerabilities and insecurities without fear of rejection or judgment.
How Soldiers Use Relational Learning Strategies
For soldiers, relational learning plays a crucial role in developing self-esteem, confidence, motivation, and resilience. They learn to rely on each other during training sessions, combat missions, deployments, and transitions back home. Here are some ways they can integrate this knowledge into their daily lives:
1) Building Trust - Trustworthiness is vital in military operations since team members must trust each other's abilities to perform tasks effectively and safely under high pressure.
When a soldier needs help carrying heavy equipment during a march, they turn to their comrades who know how to handle the situation appropriately. This creates a bond that strengthens over time through shared experiences.
2) Developing Empathy - Soldiers need to understand each other's emotional states and perspectives to work together harmoniously. By practicing active listening and showing concern for others' feelings, they build empathy that allows them to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts quickly.
3) Sharing Vulnerability - Soldiers must be open about their weaknesses and insecurities to build stronger relationships with their colleagues. This helps them identify problems beforehand and find solutions more efficiently.
4) Fostering Accountability - In the army, everyone has responsibilities towards one another; therefore, accountability is essential for success. When a soldier makes a mistake or fails at something, they take responsibility and seek feedback from their peers rather than blaming others.
5) Reaching Out -
Soldiers reach out to family, friends, therapists, or mentors outside of the military environment whenever needed. This way, they keep a balance between personal life and work life without losing sight of what matters most.
Benefits of Relational Learning Strategies
Relational learning strategies benefit soldiers' overall well-being by improving physical and mental health while boosting resilience against stressful situations. Here are some examples:
1) Reduced Anxiety and Depression - Feeling secure in relationships helps reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. When soldiers trust and rely on one another during stressful moments, they feel less alone and overwhelmed, which leads to better mood regulation.
2) Improved Performance Under Pressure - Through relational learning, soldiers learn how to handle challenging situations effectively, leading to higher performance levels under pressure. They also develop self-esteem and confidence that can help them overcome adversity.
3) Enhanced Coping Skills - By developing empathy and understanding other people's perspectives, soldiers can cope with difficult moments more appropriately.
When facing an enemy attack, they will know how to react calmly instead of panicking or making rash decisions.
4) Long-Term Resilience - Relational learning builds long-term resilience since it involves creating strong bonds that last beyond combat missions or deployments. Soldiers who practice this strategy have higher chances of surviving traumatic events like PTSD or suicidal thoughts after leaving the army.
Relational learning is essential for soldiers' coping, adaptation, and resilience strategies because it allows them to build trustworthiness, empathy, vulnerability, accountability, and reach out. These skills help them manage stressful situations efficiently, reduce anxiety/depression symptoms, improve performance under pressure, foster stronger bonds within their teams, enhance coping abilities, and build long-term resilience against trauma. So let's all support our troops by encouraging healthier relationships!
How do soldiers integrate relational learning into broader coping, adaptation, and resilience strategies?
The integration of relational learning plays an important role in enhancing coping, adaptation, and resilience among military personnel during times of stress and adversity. Relational learning involves understanding how one's actions affect others and the ability to adapt one's behavior accordingly. It is essential for building strong interpersonal relationships with team members, supervisors, and family members, which can help them navigate challenges effectively.