Relationships play an important role in mental well-being for everyone, but they are especially crucial for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members who face unique challenges due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. These individuals often experience discrimination, harassment, and isolation within military units that can impact their physical and mental health.
Research suggests that relational support - such as having close friends and family who accept and support them - can help buffer against these negative effects. This article will explore how relational support interacts with personal resilience to influence mental health outcomes in LGBT soldiers.
Resilience is defined as the ability to cope effectively with adversity, stress, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of risk. It involves adaptive coping strategies, positive emotional regulation, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Personal resilience refers to individual characteristics and resources that enhance an individual's ability to overcome adversity.
Someone who has high self-esteem may be better able to bounce back after a setback than someone who struggles with low self-esteem. Relational support is defined as social connections that provide emotional support, advice, and assistance during difficult times. It includes both interpersonal relationships with family, friends, and partners, as well as professional support from medical providers, therapists, and other professionals.
Studies have found that personal resilience and relational support play key roles in promoting mental health among LGBT service members. One study found that LGBT service members with higher levels of relational support were more likely to report positive mental health outcomes, while another study found that those with greater personal resilience had lower rates of depression and anxiety.
A third study found that LGBT service members who reported having both high levels of relational support and personal resilience tended to experience better mental health outcomes than those without these assets.
These studies suggest that relational support and personal resilience work together to promote mental health in LGBT soldiers. When individuals have access to strong social networks and personal qualities like self-confidence and optimism, they are better equipped to cope with the challenges of military life and maintain their mental health.
It is also important to note that not all LGBT service members have access to strong relational support or possess personal resilience. Thus, additional efforts may need to be made to ensure that all LGBT service members receive adequate support and resources to improve their mental health outcomes.
This article has explored how relational support interacts with personal resilience to influence mental health outcomes in LGBT soldiers. Research suggests that both relational support and personal resilience can positively impact mental well-being, but that some LGBT service members may face barriers to accessing these resources. Moving forward, further research should investigate ways to increase access to relational support and build personal resilience among LGBT service members, as well as other factors that contribute to mental health outcomes.
How does relational support interact with personal resilience to influence mental health outcomes in LGBT soldiers?
LGBT soldiers' mental health may be influenced by both their personal resilience and the level of support they receive from family members, friends, and colleagues. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with stressful life events, while support can come in different forms such as social support (e. g. , having people to talk to), material resources (e. g. , financial assistance), and emotional support (e. g. , encouragement).