The idea that one's gender is determined solely by biology is widely accepted today.
Some individuals experience incongruence between their physical sex characteristics and their internal sense of themselves. This discrepancy can manifest itself physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It may also lead to difficulties forming intimate relationships due to a lack of confidence or self-esteem. In this article, I will explore how sexual identity conflict influences psychological resilience during service.
It is important to understand what sexual identity means. Sexual identity refers to an individual's understanding of themselves as male, female, both male and female, neither male nor female, or something else entirely. This can include sexual orientation, gender expression, gender roles, social norms, and cultural expectations. Conflict arises when there is a mismatch between these elements, which can result in distress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
One study found that transgender individuals who experienced more negative attitudes from others were more likely to report lower levels of life satisfaction, self-worth, and overall well-being than those with positive experiences.
Research suggests that gender dysphoria (the feeling of being born into the wrong body) is associated with higher rates of suicide attempts among adolescents. Other studies have identified higher rates of mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and trauma among transgender people compared to cisgender counterparts. These results suggest that sexual identity conflict can have serious implications for psychological resilience.
Not all conflicts are necessarily detrimental to one's well-being. Some individuals find ways to cope with their challenges through various strategies, including therapy, support groups, medication, hormone treatment, surgery, and changing their legal name and gender markers. Others may choose to embrace their unique identities and pursue activities outside of traditional gender roles, such as wearing clothing that reflects their gender identity rather than society's norms.
Some studies have shown that resilience can be cultivated over time by developing new coping skills, increasing self-esteem, improving communication, seeking social support, and finding meaning in their lives. This may involve exploring spirituality or religion, participating in community service, pursuing a career they are passionate about, and forming meaningful relationships with family members and friends.
The ability to adapt to change and bounce back from adversity can help mitigate the effects of sexual identity conflict on psychological resilience.
Sexual identity conflict can impact an individual's sense of self-worth and overall well-being.
Building resilience requires a combination of personal efforts and societal acceptance. By recognizing this challenge and taking steps towards positive outcomes, individuals can navigate their gender identities while maintaining emotional health.
How does sexual identity conflict influence psychological resilience during service?
The term "sexual identity" refers to an individual's sense of belongingness within their preferred gender role. Sexual identity can be fluid or fixed; for example, transgender individuals may identify as male or female even though they were assigned a different gender at birth. Service members are expected to conform to traditional gender roles that align with their biological sex and do not necessarily match their self-identified gender.