In today's society, many soldiers suffer from mental health issues after returning home from combat. This is due to the trauma they experience during their time serving in the military.
One factor that can help mitigate this effect is intimacy and relationship formation. Intimate partners provide emotional support and comfort during times of distress, creating a buffer between the soldier and the world outside. By having someone to rely on for emotional stability, veterans are less likely to feel isolated and alone in dealing with their experiences. In addition, intimacy helps build trust and communication skills, which are essential for maintaining strong relationships. Research has shown that these factors can reduce stress levels in both individuals involved in a relationship.
Let's explore how intimacy functions as a buffer against combat stress in more detail. When a person enters into an intimate relationship, they form a connection with another individual that allows them to express themselves freely without fear or judgment. This creates a safe space where they can open up about difficult topics such as traumatic events they experienced while in service. By sharing their feelings with someone who cares for them, soldiers feel understood and valued, leading to increased self-esteem and improved mental well-being.
Research suggests that sexually intimate relationships have additional benefits.
Couples who engage in regular sexual activity have lower rates of depression and anxiety compared to those who don't. These effects could be attributed to oxytocin, a hormone released during physical contact that promotes feelings of bonding and attachment.
Intimacy also plays a role in building trust within a relationship. Trust is crucial for maintaining strong relationships because it requires honesty and vulnerability. In relationships involving veterans suffering from PTSD or other mental health issues, this may involve talking about challenging topics like flashbacks or nightmares without being ashamed or judged by one's partner. Without trust, soldiers may not share important details of their experiences due to shame or embarrassment, further exacerbating their symptoms. Intimacy helps foster trust by creating an environment of acceptance and empathy between partners. As trust grows over time, so does communication skills, which are essential for resolving conflicts effectively.
Intimacy has been shown to improve overall psychological functioning in both parties involved in a relationship. Studies show that individuals who report high levels of intimacy in their romantic relationships tend to have better emotional regulation and coping abilities than those who don't experience such closeness. This means they can handle stressful situations more easily and manage negative thoughts better, reducing the likelihood of developing mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
Research suggests that sexually intimate relationships enhance cognitive functioning by increasing blood flow to the brain areas responsible for memory formation and learning. By engaging in regular sexual activity with one another, couples can improve their ability to think critically and solve problems together while enhancing problem-solving skills.
Intimacy functions as a buffer against combat stress by providing emotional support, building trust and communication skills, and improving overall psychological functioning. These factors contribute to increased self-esteem, reduced rates of depression and anxiety, improved cognitive functioning, and stronger relationships. Therefore, intimacy is crucial for mitigating the effects of trauma experienced during military service on soldiers' mental health outcomes. It provides a safe space where veterans can open up about their experiences without fear or judgment, leading to positive changes in mood and behavior.
How do intimate relationships function as a buffer against the psychological impacts of combat stress?
It is widely accepted that intimate relationships provide people with a sense of support, stability, comfort, and security (Coleman et al. , 2016). Therefore, they can also help individuals cope with the psychological effects of combat stress. Combat veterans often experience elevated levels of distress due to traumatic events during their military service (Schmitt & Ackerman, 2014).