Sexual behavior is an essential part of human life that involves a wide range of physical, psychological, and social components, including cognitive, emotional, hormonal, and physiological factors 1. These factors are often influenced by several external factors such as environmental conditions, cultural norms, individual background, and lifestyle choices.
Some external factors can have more influence than others, particularly when it comes to military deployments 2.
Prolonged deployment has been identified as one of the most significant stressors that affect soldiers' sexual behavior and regulation of sexual desire 3. This type of deployment lasts for more extended periods (e.g., several months) without breaks and leaves soldiers separated from their families for long periods of time. As a result, they experience various psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD 4. Researchers believe that these factors may lead to changes in their perception of sex and sexual desires.
The current study aimed to examine how prolonged deployments affect the emotional regulation of sexual desire among soldiers. The researchers used qualitative methods to gather data from 50 soldiers who had recently returned from deployment. They collected information on demographic characteristics (age, gender, rank, marital status, etc.) and asked them to describe their experiences during deployment. Based on their responses, the researchers classified them into three groups: those with low, moderate, and high levels of emotional dysregulation.
Results showed that prolonged deployment significantly affected soldiers' sexual desire.
Many soldiers reported feeling less interested in sex after returning from deployment. Some even complained about a lack of physical attraction towards their partners. Many also described feelings of guilt, shame, and embarrassment regarding sexual activity.
They mentioned difficulty in maintaining relationships with their partners because of the distance created by the deployment.
These results were not consistent across all soldiers.
Some soldiers still felt attracted to their partners despite being apart for an extended period. Others maintained healthy and stable sexual relations throughout the deployment.
Some reported experiencing heightened libido due to stressful situations on duty. Nonetheless, this indicates that there is no single way in which deployment impacts sexual behavior and emotions. It requires further investigation to understand what determines such variation.
Prolonged deployment can affect the emotional regulation of sexual desire among soldiers. It creates psychological distress that may lead to changes in perceptions and behaviors related to sex. Future studies should examine how soldiers cope with this challenge and whether it has long-term effects on their lives and relationships.
How do prolonged deployments affect the emotional regulation of sexual desire among soldiers?
Long-term military deployments can significantly impact how individuals perceive their sexuality, arousal, and motivation. Soldiers may experience increased stress levels that trigger an autonomic nervous system response, leading them to feel overwhelmed with anxiety and fear (Jones & Smith, 2018).