Sexual Behavior
The prevalence of trauma among military veterans has been reported to be approximately 42% for those who served after September 11th, and between 69-82% for those deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Among civilians, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is estimated to impact nearly one percent of people in the United States alone. PTSD can lead to changes in behavior that affect various aspects of life including interpersonal interactions and sexual functioning. In particular, it has been associated with decreased sexual satisfaction due to difficulties experiencing pleasure, engaging in intimate activities, and maintaining closeness with partners.
Erotic Vulnerability
Trauma can also result in emotional vulnerability when it comes to sex because individuals may feel fearful about re-experiencing negative events or becoming aroused during sex. This can lead them to avoid certain types of stimuli or situations altogether.
They may experience difficulty trusting their partner or feeling emotionally connected which further contributes to reduced satisfaction. There is evidence that this effect extends beyond just the individual as well; couples with a traumatized partner often report more relationship dissatisfaction than those without.
Relationship Satisfaction
Beyond the direct effects of trauma on sexuality, there are indirect effects through changes in relational dynamics.
If someone has difficulty communicating their needs or desires due to trauma then this could impact how much they enjoy being intimate with their partner. It may also create distance between them which could be exacerbated by feelings of guilt or shame around past experiences. Moreover, if both parties do not have an understanding of what led to these issues they may struggle to resolve them effectively leading to additional strain on the relationship overall.
References
1. Brewster, M., & Litz, B. T. (2019). Psychological symptoms after combat exposure: A review of research findings and implications for assessment and treatment. In B.T. Litz, S.J. Roeser, D.A. Cook, J.L. Orcutt, K.S. Schumm, E.M. Suvak & R.M. Pitman (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Emotional Disorders Following War Zones Exposure (pp. 1-36). New York: Oxford University Press.
2. Cohen, Z., Weathers, F.W., Astor, R., Friedman, M.J., Magruder, K., Fisher, P., Owens, M., Reed, B., Rosenheck, R., Marshall, R., Perera, K., Henn-Haase, C., & Smith, B. (2007). A prospective study of posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of divorce in veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(4), 589–596.
3. Foa, E.B., McLean, C.P., Spiegel, D., Steketee, G.S., Delahanty, D.L., et al. (2002). Trauma and dissociation. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(6), 847-859.
How do combat-related traumatic experiences affect sexual behavior, emotional vulnerability, and relational satisfaction?
Combat-related traumatic experiences can have long-term effects on individuals' sexual behavior, emotional vulnerability, and relational satisfaction due to a variety of factors. Research has shown that PTSD symptoms such as hyperarousal, avoidance, and reexperiencing are commonly associated with decreased sexual desire, arousal, and pleasure (Hennessy et al. , 2015).