In modern warfare, soldiers are exposed to combat situations that can result in physical injuries including but not limited to bullet wounds, shrapnel damage, blast trauma, burns, amputations, and concussions. These injuries have been shown to cause both short-term and long-term effects on individuals' health, cognitive abilities, psychological wellbeing, social life, financial status, mobility, and sexual functioning. As such, they can also affect their ability to engage in physical activities which may include exercise, sports, outdoor adventures, gardening, etc., resulting in disruptions to daily routines. Physical injury can lead to depression, anxiety, anger, isolation, guilt, shame, fear, nightmares, flashbacks, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
It is reasonable to expect that military couples experience challenges related to emotional closeness due to changes in their relationship dynamics and intimacy levels. This article will explore how physical injury alters sexual functioning and emotional closeness in military couples through a detailed examination of relevant literature.
The Impact of Physical Injury on Sexual Functioning
The sexual act involves multiple components, including desire, arousal, stimulation, penetration, orgasm, and resolution/afterglow. Researchers have found that the impact of physical injury on each component varies depending on the severity and type of injury sustained by an individual. A study conducted among veterans with spinal cord injuries showed that sexual functioning was negatively affected by paralysis, loss of sensation, pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Individuals who had experienced penile amputation reported lower satisfaction during intercourse because they could not reach orgasm or use their genitalia for pleasurable purposes. Men and women with traumatic brain injury also reported decreased sexual desire and performance.
Some individuals with genitourinary injuries reported increased libido and higher sexual activity frequency.
Research has indicated that physical injury affects the neurology, hormonal balance, physiology, cognition, emotions, behaviors, attitudes, preferences, and values surrounding sex.
How Physical Injury Alter Emotional Closeness
Military couples report feeling closer than ever before after experiencing war-related trauma together, citing a newfound appreciation for life, gratitude towards one another, and deeper intimacy levels (Kelly & Decker, 2016). This phenomenon is known as 'intimate battle bonding' and can be attributed to shared experiences, mutual support, and enhanced communication skills.
These positive effects are often temporary and may disappear once troops return home where normal routines resume. Couples must adjust to civilian life again, including work, family responsibilities, and social activities.
Military spouses struggle to understand the psychological impact of combat exposure on their partners due to its complexity, which can lead to feelings of rejection, isolation, anger, frustration, and guilt. Physical injury further exacerbates this issue by adding practical challenges such as disability accommodations, rehabilitation needs, financial constraints, and lifestyle changes. As a result, intimacy in military marriages may deteriorate over time, resulting in relationship conflict, divorce, or infidelity.
This article provided an insight into how physical injuries affect sexual functioning and emotional closeness in military couples. Although some individuals experience increased libido and sexual activity frequency following genital injuries, most suffer from reduced arousal, sensitivity, and pleasure during intercourse. Similarly, although intimate battle bonding may improve relationships temporarily, it can quickly decline after returning home due to practical difficulties related to PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and physical limitations caused by injuries. Therefore, both partners should seek professional help if they notice any negative changes in their sex lives or relationship dynamics post-injury.
Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential long-term effects of war-related trauma on military families so that appropriate resources can be allocated for addressing these issues before they become chronic problems.
How does physical injury alter sexual functioning and emotional closeness in military couples?
Physical injuries can have far-reaching impact on both sexual functioning and emotional closeness in military couples. Research has shown that the recovery process from physical trauma can take longer than expected by both partners. Injuries can lead to pain during intimacy and may require significant changes in positions or other adjustments for comfortability.