Intimate Support for Military Personnel's Resilience
During deployment, soldiers are often faced with a variety of stressors, including threats to their safety and security. As such, they may develop psychological issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, etc. Fortunately, there is evidence that emotional support from significant others can help them cope better during these challenging times. This support comes in different forms, including physical contact, verbal encouragement, and emotional availability. Studies have shown that intimate support helps military personnel build resilience against psychological strain because it provides comfort and reassurance. The following paragraphs will explain how this works:
Intimate support refers to close physical and emotional relationships between individuals who care about each other deeply. When deployed, service members often feel lonely and isolated from friends and family back home. Receiving regular visits or calls from loved ones can give them much-needed social connection. Physical touch, like hugs and kisses, also releases oxytocin, which reduces feelings of stress and promotes bonding.
Verbal encouragement and validation can remind them of their worthiness and value as human beings.
Intimacy involves trust and vulnerability, allowing people to open up emotionally without fear of judgment or ridicule. During deployment, soldiers may keep their emotions bottled up out of fear of appearing weak or unprofessional.
By communicating honestly and authentically with loved ones, they can release tension and process negative thoughts and experiences. Intimate support creates a safe space for soldiers to share their struggles and receive feedback on coping strategies.
It fosters accountability, ensuring they follow through on healthy habits and seek professional help when needed.
Intimate support builds resilience against PTSD by helping soldiers feel less alone in the world.
If someone is experiencing nightmares or flashbacks due to traumatic events during deployment, their partner's presence can provide grounding and distraction. They can offer reassurance that these symptoms are normal and will pass with time. Likewise, if someone is struggling with alcoholism or substance abuse, their partner can encourage sobriety and help them navigate treatment options. By working together, they build resilience against psychological strain and promote each other's well-being.
Intimate support plays an essential role in military personnel's resilience against psychological strain. It provides comfort, connection, and accountability during difficult times. Without this support, service members may struggle to cope with the challenges of deployment and experience more severe mental health issues. Therefore, maintaining close relationships with family and friends while deployed is critical for building resilience against psychological strain.
How does intimate support enhance resilience against psychological strain in military personnel?
Research shows that intimate support can help enhance resilience in military personnel by promoting feelings of safety and security, providing comfort during times of stress, enhancing self-esteem and confidence, encouraging positive coping strategies, and reducing isolation and loneliness (Smith et al. , 2018).