The psychological benefits that come from being in an intimate relationship with someone have been extensively researched in recent years, but less attention has been paid to how these same benefits apply to individuals who serve in military organizations. As such, there is growing interest in exploring how military service may impact relational satisfaction, emotional regulation, and moral resilience among soldiers and whether this can be moderated by sexual psychology. This paper provides an overview of existing literature on the subject and discusses potential implications for interventions aimed at improving these outcomes.
It is important to consider what is meant by "relational satisfaction". Relational satisfaction refers to the degree to which a person feels satisfied with their current romantic relationship. It is measured through self-report questionnaires and surveys, usually involving questions about how often the person experiences positive feelings like love, affection, trust, and commitment towards their partner, as well as how frequently they experience negative feelings like frustration, anger, or disappointment. Studies suggest that those with high levels of relational satisfaction tend to report better physical and mental health outcomes, whereas those with low levels are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidality (Smith & Ziegler, 2015).
Many studies on relational satisfaction do not take into account the unique challenges faced by military personnel, including deployment and frequent relocations, which may make maintaining a relationship more difficult.
We must consider emotional regulation. Emotional regulation refers to a person's ability to manage their own emotions, both positive and negative. When someone has good emotional regulation skills, they are able to cope effectively with stressful situations without becoming overwhelmed or acting out in unhealthy ways. Poor emotional regulation can lead to problems such as mood swings, aggression, and withdrawal from others. In the context of military service, this could be especially problematic due to the potential for exposure to trauma, violence, and other stressors. Research suggests that soldiers who have higher levels of emotional regulation are less likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing combat (Hoge et al., 2004), while those who struggle with it are at greater risk for developing symptoms of PTSD (Bryant, Moulds, Guthrie, Nixon, & Staples, 2008). It is therefore important to understand how sexual psychology might play a role in enhancing or hindering emotional regulation among military personnel.
Moral resilience is another key factor to consider. Moral resilience refers to an individual's capacity to maintain ethical behavior despite pressures to engage in immoral or illegal activities. This can include things like avoiding bribery, accepting punishments, and resisting peer pressure. Military organizations place a high emphasis on maintaining strong morals and ethics among their members, but there may be times when these values come into conflict with one another.
Soldiers may face temptations to steal or harm civilians during deployment. Studies suggest that those with higher levels of moral resilience tend to perform better in combat situations and have more positive outcomes overall (Wolfe, 2017).
Little research has been done on how sexual psychology may impact moral resilience specifically.
How does sexual psychology mediate relational satisfaction, emotional regulation, and moral resilience in army personnel?
Sexual psychology is an essential aspect of human interaction that plays a significant role in shaping relationships, mental health, and social functioning. In the military setting, where individuals are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma, sexual psychology can be crucial for maintaining personal well-being, building strong bonds with fellow soldiers, and maintaining the capacity to cope with adversity.