The film “Logan” offers input on the psychological topic of stress, coping and health. The film is set in the near future with the lead character suffering from poor physical and, mainly, mental health, similar to his supporting character who experiences the same. The film explores how these conditions affect his decisions and behavior through changing variables and threats that face those that he cares about. The film opens a discussion and provide suggestions for the question; how does stress affect fighters (soldiers) and how do they cope with it?
The film’s lead character, Logan, may be defined by the psychoanalytic theory. Logan experiences detachment from most of the world’s activities and spends most of his time alone, where he is rarely sober. This lifestyle is reflective of the id, as it is criticized by those around him. However, the entry of Laura, who he is to care for, transforms him. He is expected to spend his time with her and do so sober, since she is sought after, and this part represents the superego. Logan’s ego is shown when he decides to take her in and protect her. Furthermore, he ends up protecting her whole group and dies while at it.
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War veterans or people who were previously active in warfare often encounter difficulties later in life due to war trauma and stress disorders. A study conducted by Knežević et al., showed that these individuals tend to adopt avoidance coping and lack family cohesion (2016). Similarly, individuals in combat related traumatic events have the most persistent of the disorders and tend to resolve to maladaptive coping strategies (like drinking and social withdrawal) which in turn increase their stress levels.
The lead character, Logan, also shows difficulty showing emotion. Logan seems hesitant to protect Laura even though they may be related. Logan shows symptoms pertaining to PTSD like nightmares, aggression, self-destruction thoughts alongside others. PTSD also affects individual values like trust and difficulty in handling emotions, which is what seems to afflict Logan. Previous research has documented the strong relation between PTSD and increased family relations difficulty (Monson et al., 2009). Similarly, studies have also shown that strong social support has a negative relation to PTSD. The minimal support that Logan gets and the nature of the existing support (with a key individual showing signs of dementia) limits the improvement of his condition. Monson et al., show that diminished self-disclosure is a result of avoidance and intimate relationship problems ( 2009 ). This reflects in the deteriorating relationship between Logan and his mentor and his difficulty in relating to his ward. This situation may be used to show how reduced emotion is a result of stress and a means of avoiding attachment to cope.
The film shows heavy drinking and the use of medication to cope with anxiety disorders in the lead character. Logan often turns to the bottle when faced with stressful situations and shows characteristics of an alcoholic. This is not a unique happening as it has been shown that military veterans are prone to substance use disorders (SUD) with heavy episodic drinking being the most prevalent. Furthermore, the levels of combat exposure are positively related to increased drinking. A study conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that even with the prevalence of drinking in the military, military veterans were more likely to drink and report heavier use ( Teeters et al.,2017 ). Alcoholism may ensue as a method of dealing with stress in fighters.
Another concept the film explores is isolation. Logan prefers to stay alone, keeping acquaintances only out of necessity or obligation. The fact that this mode of existence is optional rather than precautionary is shown in his negative response to the suggestion that there may be more of his kind alive. Similarly, he does not seem to hold enthusiasm for the thought of family, the one he had or that could be. Studies show that friendships formed in the military often model after real life families. The destruction of these bonds leads to increased resistance toward forming others ( Wilsonet al., 2018 ). This could be explained by understanding that Logan was one of the last of his group, most of whose death he had actively experienced. Studies have shown that older veterans show heightened resilience levels toward depression compared to their younger counterparts but also indicated higher chances of social isolation due to smaller support structures ( Wilsonet al., 2018) . This goes to show how isolation may be a coping mechanism as well as a result of stressful situations.
Logan as a character is relatable and realistic stress, coping with ‘family’ and the use of maladaptive strategies. The movie elicits information and empathy towards the characters, most of whom are veterans and face challenges due to that fact. It also provoked thought on the lives of soldiers who are admired in their prime but suffer mentally and physically after their service, often carrying on to their deaths.
In conclusion, the film has strong psychological themes and information. It also offers a view on how anxiety affects relationships and the different alternatives those afflicted take to cope with it. Knowledge in psychology improves the way I interpret information from people and events, observed or otherwise, and appreciate that behaviors have a source and explanation.
References
Knežević, M., Krupić, D., & Šućurović, S. (2016). Coping strategies in war veterans 20 years after the exposure to extreme stress. Društvena istraživanja: časopis za opća društvena pitanja, 25(3), 353-370.
Monson, C. M., Taft, C. T., & Fredman, S. J. (2009). Military-related PTSD and intimate relationships: From description to theory-driven research and intervention development. Clinical psychology review , 29 (8), 707-714.
Teeters, J. B., Lancaster, C. L., Brown, D. G., & Back, S. E. (2017). Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges. Substance abuse and rehabilitation , 8 , 69.
Wilson, G., Hill, M., & Kiernan, M. D. (2018). Loneliness and social isolation of military veterans: systematic narrative review. Occupational Medicine , 68 (9), 600-609.
