The emotional well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military personnel is important because it affects their ability to perform successfully in combat situations and maintain positive relationships within their units.
They face various challenges that can negatively impact their mental and physical health. In this context, certain psychological resources are crucial for sustaining relational health among LGBT service members. This article will discuss these critical resources.
Resilience is an essential resource that helps LGBT service members cope with adversities related to their identity. Resilient individuals can bounce back from negative experiences and continue functioning effectively despite stressful conditions. They possess traits such as optimism, self-control, flexibility, and perseverance.
When facing discrimination due to their sexual orientation, LGBT service members who have high levels of resilience may be able to handle the situation without getting depressed or anxious. Similarly, resilient people are less likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder after experiencing trauma during deployment. According to research, resilience is associated with greater social support from family and friends, which enhances relationship satisfaction and promotes healthy connections. Thus, cultivating resilience through activities such as meditation, exercise, and therapy can promote relational health among LGBT service members.
Empathy is another vital resource for sustaining relational health among LGBT service members. Empathetic individuals are aware of others' emotions and feelings and strive to understand them genuinely. This characteristic is particularly relevant for LGBT personnel because it allows them to connect with heterosexual colleagues and build strong relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.
Empathy enables LGBT service members to recognize and address the needs of their partners and family members. By showing concern and compassion towards others, they can create a positive and supportive environment within their unit. Empathy also facilitates communication, leading to better problem-solving abilities, more productive interactions, and fewer misunderstandings between teammates.
Self-compassion is an important resource that helps LGBT service members maintain healthy relationships. Self-compassionate individuals show kindness and care toward themselves, acknowledging their flaws and weaknesses. They do not criticize or judge themselves harshly but offer encouragement and acceptance.
When dealing with rejection or discrimination due to their sexual orientation, self-compassionate individuals may be less likely to feel shame or guilt, which could lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. Moreover, self-compassion promotes mindfulness, whereby individuals focus on the present moment without getting caught up in negative thoughts about the past or future. According to research, self-compassion is associated with higher relationship satisfaction and lower levels of distress, suggesting its role in sustaining relational health among LGBT service members.
Resilience, empathy, and self-compassion are critical psychological resources for sustaining relational health among LGBT service members. These characteristics enable them to cope effectively with challenges related to their identity, connect meaningfully with others, and maintain healthy relationships within their units. Cultivating these traits through various activities such as therapy, meditation, exercise, and social support can promote emotional well-being and foster positive connections.
Which psychological resources are most critical for sustaining relational health in LGBT service members?
Research indicates that the most critical psychological resource for sustaining relational health in LGBT service members is social support from family, friends, colleagues, and peers (e. g. , Boldry & Barnes, 2017; Gates, 2016). Social support can promote feelings of belongingness, reduce isolation, provide emotional validation, and alleviate stress.