13
November2024

FORGING BONDS: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIT COHESION

ByMelissa GarnesEditorsAllison Tidwell

Imagine an efficient, well-oiled machine standing against any challenge with unshakable unity - this is steadfast military unit cohesion in action. Unit cohesion is a type of social support defined by how strongly military members feel connected to and supported by their unit (Armistead-Jehle et al., 2011). The concept of unit cohesion can be broken down into two types, peer-to-peer and peer-to-leadership (i.e., horizontal and vertical cohesion, respectively; Siebold & Kelly, 1988). Though they work together to create unit cohesion, it’s important to understand that horizontal and vertical unit cohesion each impact Service members in different ways.

As unit cohesion develops, it can have a great impact on Service members’ overall well-being. Specifically, higher levels of unit cohesion were related to the likelihood of Service members having a supportive network for emotional, informational, tangible, and mental health help-seeking needs (Barr et al., 2023). Essentially, close bonds within the unit help Service members build support systems to cope with various challenges of military life. Furthermore, Rugo and colleagues (2020) found that Soldiers who reported greater unit cohesion tended to indicate decreased likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation. In this article, we will explore the elements of both horizontal and vertical unit cohesion and examine their impact on the well-being of Service members.

Horizontal Unit Cohesion

Horizontal unit cohesion refers to peer-to-peer support within a military unit (i.e., excluding leadership and higher-ranking officials; Campbell-Sills et al., 2022; Siebold & Kelly, 1988). Horizontal unit cohesion has been identified as a protective factor for Service members exposed to combat, such that unit cohesion protects against the harmful effects of combat exposure on Service members’ PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts (Campbell-Sills et al., 2022). These findings mean that having a close, supportive group of peers within a unit can reduce the impact of mental health challenges for Service members at home and abroad. Support networks for Service members highlight the impact of peer connections on mental health, emphasizing how camaraderie and mutual understanding within a unit can alleviate challenges faced by Service members both during and after deployment.

The concept of horizontal unit cohesion becomes apparent when thinking about real-life scenarios. Take a look at the fictional Service member, Specialist Davis, who seems to be struggling while on deployment.

Specialist Davis finds herself face-to-face with the stress and pressure of combat. Sitting alone, Davis feels reality weighing on her. Noticing Davis’s isolation, Specialist Bradley and a few unit members approach her, not to give orders, but to offer something far more impactful—genuine, peer-to-peer support. They start up a card game at Davis’s table and begin to share their own struggles and vulnerabilities, recounting battle stories and cracking jokes to help ease the emotional tension. This informal, yet earnest conversation provides Davis with a sense of understanding and comfort, lifting some of that heavy emotional burden.

Vertical Unit Cohesion

Vertical unit cohesion refers to peer-to-leadership support within a military unit, encompassing both leadership and subordinate roles (Campbell-Sills et al., 2022; Siebold & Kelly, 1988). Vertical unit cohesion is invaluable as it fosters a deep sense of trust and mutual respect, both essential for units performing complex and high-pressure assignments. Charbonneau & Wood (2018) found that perceptions of fairness within the unit and the quality of unit leaders serve as important contributors to Service members’ perceptions of unit cohesion. Similar to horizontal unit cohesion, vertical unit cohesion has been shown to buffer the harmful effects of combat exposure on psychological symptoms for Service members (Campbell-Sills, et al., 2022).

Beyond mental health, leadership quality in vertical relationships (i.e. peer-to-leadership) is associated with Service members’ overall emotional attachment to the military, which may have consequences for their decision to stay in the military (Charbonneau & Wood, 2018). This concept can be vividly illustrated in the fictional scenario where Sergeant Martinez’s leadership significantly impacts her squad’s morale and cohesion.

Sergeant Martinez, leading her squad through a grueling training exercise, notices Private Lee struggling and falls behind. Sensing his exhaustion, she pauses the exercise and gathers the squad for a break and begins to share her own challenging experiences. She encourages the squad to share their worst training exercise and how they survived. As they open up, Lee feels a renewed sense of connection. This informal exchange uplifts his spirits and strengthens his bond with the squad, helping him complete the exercise with renewed determination.

Horizontal and vertical unit cohesion work together to create a supportive and resilient military environment. Horizontal cohesion, peer-to-peer support, helps Service members address the psychological challenges of combat and deployment. Vertical cohesion, peer-to-leadership support, builds essential trust and collaboration for success as well as emotional well-being. Together, these forms of cohesion create a strong foundation for military units ensuring that Service members are not only equipped to handle their responsibilities but also receive the support needed to navigate their challenges.

References

Armistead‐Jehle, P., Johnston, S. L., Wade, N. G., & Ecklund, C. J. (2011). Posttraumatic stress in U.S. Marines: The role of unit cohesion and combat exposure. Journal of Counseling & Development, 89(1), 81–88. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00063.x

Barr, N., Petry, L., Fulginiti, A., Arora, A., Cederbaum, J., Castro, C., & Rice, E. (2023). Who supports the troops? Social support domains and sources in active duty Army networks. Armed Forces & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X231182907

Campbell-Sills, L., Flynn, P. J., Choi, K. W., Ng, T. H. H., Aliaga, P. A., Broshek, C., Jain, S., Kessler, R. C., Stein, M. B., & Bliese, P. D. (2022). Unit cohesion during deployment and post-deployment mental health: Is cohesion an individual- or unit-level buffer for combat-exposed soldiers? Psychological Medicine, 52(1), 121-131. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720001786

Charbonneau, D., & Wood, V. M. (2018). Antecedents and outcomes of unit cohesion and affective commitment to the army. Military Psychology, 30(1), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2017.1420974

Rugo, K.F., Leifker, F. R., Drake-Brooks, M. M., Snell, M. B., Bryan, C. J., & Bryan, A. O. (2020). Unit cohesion and social support as protective factors against suicide risk and depression among National Guard service members. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 39(3), 214-228. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2020.39.3.214

Siebold, G. L., & Kelly, D. R. (1988). Development of the Combat Platoon Cohesion Questionnaire (Report No. 817). Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA204917.pdf

MOBILIZING RESEARCH, PROMOTING FAMILY READINESS.

These materials were developed as a result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) between the DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) through a grant/cooperative agreement with Auburn University. USDA/NIFA Award No. 2021-48710-35671.


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