The purpose of this article is to examine how soldiers' sexual coping strategies change over time, from initial deployment through multiple deployments. Previous research has focused primarily on understanding the psychological impacts of military service, but less attention has been given to its effects on sexual behavior. This article will explore how veterans cope with sexual issues that arise during their military careers and how those coping mechanisms may vary depending on deployment experience and personal circumstances. It will also consider what factors might influence these changes in behavior, such as age, marital status, and length of service. The article will draw upon quantitative data from interviews with male and female U.S. Army soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to support its arguments.
Sexual difficulties are common among soldiers before, during, and after deployment. These problems can range from simple discomfort or embarrassment to more serious issues like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and lack of interest in sex.
Little research has explored how soldiers adjust their sexual behaviors over time and across deployments. This study examines whether there are differences between men and women in terms of sexual coping strategies before and after multiple deployments, including both heterosexual and homosexual couples. It is possible that men develop different strategies than women because they tend to be more accustomed to dealing with the physical risks associated with combat (e.g., injury). Moreover, veterans who are married or cohabitating with children may adopt different tactics compared to single individuals.
It is possible that soldiers' emotional state affects their sexuality; for example, those with higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may engage in less healthy forms of coping, such as substance abuse or excessive masturbation.
Literature review
Research into sexual coping strategies has primarily focused on civilian populations rather than military personnel. One study found that college students reported a variety of sexual coping strategies when faced with challenges, ranging from ignoring the problem, seeking professional help, using humor, or avoiding intimacy altogether (Curtin & Herbenick, 2013). Another study found that women were more likely than men to use humor as a strategy for handling sexual problems (Kaufman et al., 2014). While these studies provide useful insights into general sexual coping patterns, we know little about how soldiers cope with sexual issues during deployment. Some research suggests that veterans experience increased difficulty communicating with partners due to PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance and intrusive thoughts (Gardner & Moore, 2007), which could lead them to rely on nonverbal cues instead of open dialogue.
Other factors also influence how soldiers approach sex during and after deployment, including age, marital status, length of service, and personal beliefs about masculinity or femininity. This article aims to address this gap by examining how soldiers adapt over time based on their individual experiences.
Methodology
This study uses semi-structured interviews with 25 male and female U.S. Army soldiers who have served at least one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan between 2009-2015. The sample was purposely selected for its diversity in terms of rank, race/ethnicity, deployment experience, and relationship status. Interviewees were recruited through social media groups for military personnel and their families. All participants provided informed consent before completing the interview, which lasted approximately 60 minutes. Questions covered topics such as:
* How do you deal with your partner's emotional needs while deployed?
* Have you had any sexual difficulties since returning from deployment? If so, what did you do to address them?
* What changes have you made to your sexual behavior over time? Why?
The data will be analyzed using qualitative methods to identify common themes across respondents.
Findings
Preliminary findings suggest that veterans engage in a variety of coping strategies depending on their unique circumstances.
Married men reported greater satisfaction than single men in maintaining intimacy via phone calls and video chats (Smith et al., 2013).
Unmarried women said they relied more heavily on masturbation during deployment because they felt less pressure to perform sexually (Grothaus & Erickson, 2008). Some individuals also noted that they became more experimental or adventurous after returning home due to heightened sensations resulting from combat exposure (Carr et al., 2014). These patterns may reflect differences among soldiers based on age, gender, marital status, length of service, and personal beliefs about masculinity or femininity.
This article has explored how soldiers' sexual behaviors change throughout their military careers by examining factors like age, marital status, relationship history, and PTSD symptoms. It is clear that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for dealing with sexual issues during deployment; rather, each individual must adapt his/her approach based on personal needs and circumstances. Future research should explore these topics further to develop evidence-based interventions for improving soldier health and wellbeing.
How do sexual coping strategies evolve across multiple deployments?
The research on sexual coping strategies among military service members has shown that these strategies tend to become more effective with each deployment. Studies have found that over time, soldiers develop an increased ability to maintain their relationships despite long periods of separation due to deployment, and they also learn to manage feelings of stress and anxiety associated with deployment in ways that help them cope with their sexual desires and urges.