Traumatic experiences can significantly impact individuals' lives, including their romantic relationships and sexual behaviors. Military service is associated with increased risk for exposure to traumatic events such as combat, injury, or sexual assault. Many military veterans report experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning home from deployment. PTSD symptoms, such as reexperiencing traumatic events, avoidance behavior, and hyperarousal, may interfere with intimate relationships. Veterans with PTSD often struggle with trust, closeness, communication, and emotional expression.
Reciprocity is an important component of healthy relationships. Trauma survivors may have difficulty establishing reciprocity because they feel less deserving of care, support, and affection. They may fear being judged or rejected if others know about their past trauma. In addition, they may perceive that their partner will abandon them or leave if they reveal their trauma history. This fear can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, and self-blame. Trauma survivors also may be hesitant to share vulnerable feelings and desires with partners out of a sense of danger or shame.
A veteran who was raped during service might feel ashamed and avoid discussing sexual preferences or needs in fear of triggering memories of the assault.
Emotional attunement
Prior trauma can affect an individual's ability to emotionally connect with others. Trauma victims may experience intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and nightmares that impair their ability to engage in present moments. This can lead to problems with listening, empathizing, and responding appropriately to their partner's needs. It can also create distance between individuals by making it difficult for them to relate to each other's experiences or perspectives.
Traumatic experiences can reduce interest in sex or desire to be intimate due to hyperarousal symptoms (e.g., irritability, anxiety, insomnia).
Sexual satisfaction
Trauma survivors often struggle with intimacy and sexual pleasure due to negative body image, low self-esteem, and difficulty trusting others. These issues are common among military veterans who experienced combat trauma or were sexually abused while serving. They may have difficulty expressing sexual desires, finding pleasure, and achieving orgasm. They may worry about performance, safety, and judgments from partners. This can negatively impact both partners' enjoyment and satisfaction in sexual relationships.
Trauma survivors must seek professional help to address their PTSD symptoms, which can improve their relationship functioning and sexual satisfaction. Psychotherapy can teach coping strategies to manage symptoms, process emotions, and challenge negative beliefs about oneself and others. Couples therapy can enhance communication skills, increase mutual understanding, and promote emotional closeness. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can alleviate mood disorders that contribute to relationship dysfunction. Veteran service organizations offer resources to help veterans and families cope with trauma and build healthy relationships.
In what ways does trauma influence veterans' expectations of reciprocity, sexual satisfaction, and emotional attunement?
Traumatic events experienced by military veterans can have long-lasting effects on their relationships with others. This includes expectations for reciprocity, sexual satisfaction, and emotional attunement. Veterans may feel uncomfortable expressing their needs in intimate relationships due to fear of rejection or being perceived as weak. They may also struggle with trust issues and find it difficult to form close bonds.