One of the most important aspects of human wellbeing is sexual intimacy. It involves feelings of physical and emotional closeness with another person, which can be expressed through touch, words, or actions. Sexual intimacy has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health, including improved self-esteem, increased life satisfaction, reduced stress levels, and better relationships.
Sustaining sexual intimacy under prolonged operational stress, such as during military operations, can be challenging. Operational stressors include combat trauma, deployments, and separation from family and friends. In this article, I will explore how psychological mechanisms facilitate relational resilience, sexual intimacy, and emotional regulation in individuals under operational stress.
Relational resilience refers to an individual's ability to maintain healthy relationships despite difficult circumstances. One way to achieve relational resilience is through communication. Communication allows individuals to express their needs, desires, and concerns, building trust and understanding within a relationship. During operational stress, effective communication can help partners feel supported and understood.
Soldiers who are deployed may communicate regularly with their partner via text, phone calls, or video chat. This helps them stay connected emotionally and provides reassurance that they are not alone.
Setting boundaries and expectations for each other during deployment can help maintain stability in the relationship.
Another mechanism that supports relational resilience is coping strategies. Coping strategies refer to the ways individuals deal with stressful situations. These can include things like exercise, meditation, journaling, or talking to loved ones. When deployed soldiers practice these strategies, they can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and improve overall wellbeing. This, in turn, makes it easier to connect with their partners emotionally when they return home.
Sexual intimacy involves physical closeness and emotional bonding between two people. It can take many forms, including kissing, touching, hugging, cuddling, or intercourse. Maintaining sexual intimacy under prolonged operational stress requires effort and creativity. Soldiers may need to find new ways to be physically intimate without being able to see their partner in person. This could involve sending sensual messages, videos, or photos. They may also engage in role-playing games or talk about fantasies to keep the spark alive. It's important to remember that sexual intimacy is not just about sex - it's about connecting on a deeper level.
Emotional regulation refers to an individual's ability to manage their emotions effectively. During operational stress, emotions can run high, leading to anger, sadness, or anxiety. Emotional regulation helps individuals stay calm and collected, even in challenging situations. One way to regulate emotions is through mindfulness practices such as breathwork, yoga, or meditation. By taking time to pause and focus on the present moment, individuals can gain perspective and control over their emotions. Another way is through self-compassion. Practicing self-compassion involves treating oneself with kindness and understanding, rather than self-criticism or shame. This can help soldiers maintain a positive outlook on life and relationships during deployment.
Psychological mechanisms such as communication, coping strategies, and emotional regulation can support relational resilience, sexual intimacy, and emotional regulation under prolonged operational stress.
Sustaining these things takes effort and dedication from both partners. By working together, military couples can build strong, healthy relationships that withstand even the most difficult circumstances.
What psychological mechanisms facilitate relational resilience, sexual intimacy, and emotional regulation under prolonged operational stress?
Relational resilience refers to an individual's ability to maintain healthy relationships even during times of high stress or conflict. It involves adapting one's communication styles and behaviors to meet the needs of others while also preserving their self-identity and wellbeing. This can be accomplished through various strategies such as active listening, empathy, effective communication, and problem-solving skills (Sharp et al. , 2018).