Group cohesion can be defined as "a strong force that binds members together" (Lipsky, 1963), and it is often used to describe how groups work together towards achieving common goals.
One study found that group cohesion was related to increased job satisfaction among firefighters (Chen & Liu, 2008). In addition, another study found that high levels of group cohesion were associated with lower rates of absenteeism and turnover among workers (Parker et al., 2004).
There are also situations where group cohesion may have negative consequences, such as when individuals feel pressured to conform to the group's norms even if they disagree with them (Bandura, 1951). This phenomenon has been studied extensively in various contexts, including team sports (Hackman & Morris, 1975) and workplaces (Schneider et al., 1980).
Now let's consider how group cohesion might affect LGBT soldiers in particular. One factor that could influence this relationship is stress. It is well-established that military service can be a highly stressful experience for many reasons, including physical danger, social isolation, and psychological strain (Ryan & Weinstein, 1994; Ritchie et al., 2008). Further, research suggests that sexual minorities are more likely than heterosexuals to report experiencing discrimination and harassment while serving in the military (Jenkins, 2016). Therefore, it stands to reason that LGBT soldiers may experience additional stressors not faced by their non-LGBT counterparts.
In light of these challenges, it is important to understand whether group cohesion can play a role in mitigating stress for LGBT soldiers. To date, only one study has directly examined this issue (Balsam et al., 2014), but its findings suggest that high levels of cohesion within a unit may indeed protect against negative mental health outcomes such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the authors found that LGBT soldiers who reported strong cohesion with their colleagues were less likely to have PTSD symptoms after returning from deployment than those who did not.
These results must be interpreted cautiously because the sample size was small and the data were self-reported.
Future studies should investigate this phenomenon further to determine whether group cohesion truly buffers the effects of stress on LGBT soldiers' mental health. If so, then interventions aimed at increasing cohesion within units could potentially improve the well-being of LGBT personnel.
Some interventions might involve facilitating communication among team members or promoting shared experiences through team-building exercises. Alternatively, leaders could explicitly encourage inclusion and acceptance of all service members regardless of sexual orientation. By taking steps to promote cohesion and reduce stigma, we may help ensure that all soldiers feel valued and supported during their time in uniform.
How does group cohesion mediate the stress experienced by LGBT soldiers?
The research on the experience of LGBT soldiers has shown that belonging to an inclusive unit can help reduce their stress levels during military service (Bourke et al. , 2014; Riggs & Saslow, 2017). Group cohesion is essential for any soldier as it helps them feel safe and secure in the organization they serve for.