Sexual Support Under Combat Stress
Sexual support is defined as "a range of behaviors and attitudes that promote or sustain a healthy, satisfying, mutually beneficial, and pleasurable sexual relationship between partners." It plays an essential role in fostering psychosexual well-being, emotional regulation, and relational satisfaction under combat stress. In times of war, military personnel face various challenges such as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma. These factors can cause physical and mental distress, which can lead to a decline in sexual desire and performance.
Sexual support can help alleviate these effects by providing comfort, affection, and intimacy.
Psychosexual Well-Being
Sexual support has been found to improve psychosexual well-being in several ways. First, it helps reduce stress levels, which are elevated during combat situations. Engaging in sexual activities releases oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, which reduces cortisol levels. Oxytocin lowers blood pressure and heart rate while increasing feelings of trust and closeness, resulting in greater psychological resilience.
Engaging in sexual activities can create a sense of relaxation, calmness, and tranquility, helping military personnel cope with the demands of their jobs.
Emotional Regulation
Sexual support promotes emotional regulation by providing a safe space for expression and communication. Military personnel often experience intense emotions due to the high-stress environment they work in. Sexual activities provide a way to express emotions without judgment or criticism. This allows them to release negative emotions such as anger, fear, frustration, and sadness, improving overall mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Relational Satisfaction
Sexual support is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships under combat stress. It creates a feeling of connection and intimacy between partners, strengthening bonds and fostering trust. Studies have shown that regular sexual activity increases relationship satisfaction, leading to better communication, empathy, and understanding.
It provides a distraction from the stresses of combat, creating a sense of togetherness and shared experiences.
Sexual support plays an important role in fostering psychosexual well-being, emotional regulation, and relational satisfaction under combat stress. Engaging in sexually satisfying activities helps reduce stress, promote positive emotions, and strengthen relationships. Therefore, couples should incorporate sexual support into their routines to improve mental and physical health during times of conflict.
What role does sexual support play in fostering psychosexual well-being, emotional regulation, and relational satisfaction under combat stress?
Research has suggested that sexual support can be essential for promoting psychosexual well-being, emotional regulation, and relational satisfaction among soldiers during times of war (Fisher & Fisher, 2016). Sexual intimacy between partners provides a safe space where individuals can express their feelings and desires, which helps them deal with the intense stress associated with war.