Sexual impulsivity is a strong urge for sexual activity, which can be characterized as intense, uncontrollable, or irresistible. Sexual impulsivity often involves high levels of physiological arousal and desire. It is considered an essential part of human nature, but it may also lead to risky behaviors that can have negative consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, STDs/STIs, or relationship problems.
Soldiers are exposed to constant risk factors associated with warfare. Some of them include combat exposure, traumatic events, stressful situations, violence, fear, and death. These factors impact soldiers' psychological health and alter their perceptions and behavior towards sexual impulses. Soldiers who experience frequent mortality may become more sexually aggressive, engage in casual sex, and lack interest in intimacy.
Frequent exposure to mortality causes soldiers to perceive life differently, including relationships. The military environment promotes strict social norms and regulations regarding sex and relationships.
Soldiers who witness frequent mortality lose their inhibitions and feel less responsible for adhering to these norms. They may feel more comfortable expressing their sexual desires without worrying about social conventions or judgment.
Another reason why soldiers may develop higher sexual impulsivity after frequent mortality is the loss of comrades and friends they trusted. Soldiers form strong bonds during combat missions and mourn when someone dies. Grief affects their emotional well-being and mental state, increasing their need for physical comfort and intimacy. This may result in increased sexual activity and impulsivity.
Soldiers who frequently encounter mortality tend to cope by indulging in high-risk activities, including substance abuse and risky behaviors. Sexual impulsiveness is considered a high-risk behavior because it can lead to unplanned pregnancies, STDs/STIs, relationship issues, or unwanted consequences. It is essential for soldiers to be aware of the potential negative outcomes of such behaviors.
Soldiers who experience frequent mortality often have altered perceptions of time. Time becomes limited, and they start living every moment intensely. This urgency can manifest as an intense desire for physical closeness and connection, which soldiers may seek through sexual relations. Sexual impulses become stronger than rational thoughts and control.
Exposure to frequent mortality alters soldiers' perceptions of sexual impulsivity due to various factors, including grief, lack of social inhibitions, coping mechanisms, and urgent need for intimacy. Understanding these changes can help soldiers manage their emotions and prevent negative outcomes resulting from high-risk sexual behaviors.
How does exposure to frequent mortality alter soldiers' perceptions of sexual urgency or impulsivity?
Mortality awareness has been shown to impact many areas of human functioning including emotion regulation, decision making, and motivation. Mortality salience increases existential anxiety which can lead to increased sex drive and risky behavior due to a desire to experience as much pleasure as possible before death (Schwartz et al. , 2017).