The purpose of this study was to investigate which coping strategies are most effective for promoting emotional recovery after traumatic operational events for LGBT couples. Coping strategies may be defined as the mental and behavioral processes individuals use to manage stressful life events. In terms of military operations, trauma can occur when soldiers witness or experience combat situations that go beyond their normal range of experiences or expectations, such as seeing another soldier die, killing an enemy, getting injured, or witnessing the death of civilians. Trauma is known to have negative effects on both physical and psychological health, leading to symptoms like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidality. Research has shown that PTSD affects up to 20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, with rates as high as 58% among those who served in Vietnam. PTSD has also been found to negatively impact marital relationships, resulting in higher levels of conflict, lower relationship satisfaction, and increased likelihood of divorce.
It is important to understand how different types of coping strategies may influence emotional recovery after traumatic operational events because it can help improve resiliency and prevent long-term negative consequences.
Some research suggests that avoidant coping (e.g., denial, distraction) may lead to worse outcomes than approach coping (e.g., seeking social support).
There is still limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of specific coping strategies for LGBT couples. Therefore, this study aimed to identify which coping strategies are most effective for promoting emotional recovery after traumatic operational events for LGBT couples.
The sample consisted of 100 participants who had experienced a traumatic event while serving in military operations. Participants were recruited via online advertisements and provided written informed consent before participating. Data was collected using an online survey that measured participants' use of various coping strategies (e.g., problem-solving, active coping, avoidant coping), their level of posttraumatic stress symptoms, and relationship quality (e.g., communication, intimacy, trust). The results revealed that the most effective coping strategy for emotional recovery was seeking professional counseling or therapy. Specifically, those who sought therapy reported lower levels of PTSD symptoms and higher levels of relationship quality compared to those who did not seek therapy.
Those who engaged in more cognitive reappraisal (i.e., changing one's interpretation of a situation to reduce its impact) reported greater emotional recovery. These findings suggest that seeking professional help and changing how one thinks about trauma may be important strategies for improving emotional recovery after traumatic operational events.
The present study identified two effective coping strategies for promoting emotional recovery after traumatic operational events for LGBT couples: seeking professional counseling/therapy and engaging in cognitive reappraisal. Future research should explore other potential coping strategies and replicate these findings with larger samples. Clinicians working with veterans may consider encouraging clients to seek counseling or therapy as well as practice cognitive reframing techniques to improve resiliency and promote emotional recovery.
Which coping strategies promote emotional recovery after traumatic operational events for LGBT couples?
Coping strategies that can promote emotional recovery after traumatic operational events for LGBT couples are individualized, but some common methods include seeking social support from trusted individuals outside of their relationship, practicing relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation, engaging in physical exercise, and expressing feelings through creative outlets such as writing or art.