How Combat Exposure Influences Perceptions of Relational Equity, Trust, and Sexual Behavior
Combat exposure is defined as the experience of violent events, often involving firearms, during military service. It can have profound effects on an individual's psychological wellbeing, including their perceptions of relational equity, trust, and sexual behavior. This article explores how these experiences can shape an individual's attitudes towards intimate relationships, both before and after they return from deployment.
Impact on Relationship Dynamics Before Deployment
In the context of combat exposure, relational equity refers to the sense that one partner has more control than another within the relationship. Military personnel who are exposed to combat may develop heightened feelings of power, authority, and dominance, which can impact their interactions with romantic partners prior to deployment.
They may become more assertive, controlling, or demanding in their relationships, leading to tension and conflict. At the same time, they may also feel the need to protect themselves and their loved ones, causing them to be less open and vulnerable. These changes can create a power imbalance between partners, leading to resentment and distrust.
Effects on Relationship Dynamics After Deployment
Once military personnel return home from combat, their experiences can continue to shape their views on relational equity. They may become hypervigilant, suspicious, and guarded, struggling to trust others due to the traumatic experiences they witnessed while deployed. This can lead to increased conflict and misunderstanding within relationships, as partners struggle to navigate the new dynamic.
Some veterans may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can further affect their ability to form healthy connections.
Influence on Sexual Behavior
Combat exposure can also have significant effects on sexual behavior. Many veterans report feeling numbness or detachment during sexual encounters, making it difficult to connect emotionally with their partners. Others may engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or extramarital affairs, seeking a sense of intimacy that is lacking in their primary relationship. Some may even develop problems with pornography addiction or other forms of sexual compulsion. The trauma of war can make it hard for individuals to trust others enough to truly let down their defenses and open up emotionally.
Implications for Treatment and Support
For those who are struggling with these issues, it's important to seek professional help. Therapy can provide an opportunity to process and understand the impact of combat exposure on one's relationships, while support groups can offer a safe space to share experiences and receive validation. Couples therapy can be especially helpful for military families, allowing both partners to work together to heal and rebuild trust. By addressing the underlying causes of these issues, individuals can learn to communicate more effectively, build stronger bonds, and find fulfillment in their relationships.
Combat exposure has far-reaching consequences for those who experience it, including changes in perceptions of relational equity, trust, and sexual behavior. Understanding these impacts is crucial for providing effective treatment and support to military personnel and their loved ones.
How does combat exposure influence perceptions of relational equity, trust, and sexual behavior?
Combat exposure is believed to have several effects on how individuals perceive relational equity, trust, and sexual behavior. Firstly, combat experiences can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may result in feelings of mistrust towards others and difficulty forming close relationships (McLaughlin et al. , 2014).