To what extent does sexual support promote interpersonal trust, moral reasoning, and psychosexual well-being among soldiers? This article explores the role of sexual support, such as masturbation and pornography viewing, in promoting interpersonal trust, moral reasoning, and psychosexual well-being among soldiers. The topic is relevant because it addresses an understudied aspect of military culture that has implications for individual and group cohesion, morality, and mental health. Research suggests that sexual support may play a significant role in soldier's emotional regulation and coping strategies during deployment, but there are conflicting views about its effects on trust and well-being. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the available evidence and identifies areas for future research.
Sexual Support and Interpersonal Trust:
The study of sexuality and relationships within the military is relatively new, but initial findings suggest that sexual support can enhance interpersonal trust.
One study found that male soldiers who watched pornography while deployed felt more connected to their partners back home and were less likely to cheat on them than those who did not (Hornyak & Donnelly, 2018). Another study found that soldiers who engaged in sexual activity with their partners before deployments reported higher levels of trust and commitment (Cochran et al., 2021). These findings suggest that sexual support can foster intimacy and trust between soldiers and their partners, which may have positive consequences for overall relationship quality.
Other studies suggest that sexual support can also undermine trust if used excessively or with untrustworthy partners (Brown & Coffman, 2019). More research is needed to understand how different forms of sexual support affect interpersonal trust among soldiers.
Sexual Support and Moral Reasoning:
Studies suggest that sexual support can influence moral reasoning among soldiers. One study found that viewing pornography during deployments was associated with lower levels of moral disengagement and increased awareness of one's own morality (Murphy, 2020). This suggests that sexual support may help soldiers maintain their sense of right and wrong even in challenging situations.
Other studies suggest that pornography consumption can lead to moral disengagement and objectification of women (Jensen et al., 2015). This indicates a need for further research into the effects of sexual support on soldiers' moral reasoning and attitudes towards women.
Sexual Support and Psychosexual Well-Being:
The available evidence suggests that sexual support can promote psychosexual well-being among soldiers.
Soldiers who watched pornography while deployed reported higher levels of emotional regulation and lower rates of depression than those who did not (Hornyak & Donnelly, 2018).
Soldiers who engaged in sexual activity before deployment reported greater self-esteem and less post-traumatic stress symptoms (Cochran et al., 2021). These findings indicate that sexual support may have positive consequences for soldier's mental health and overall quality of life. More research is needed to understand how different forms of sexual support affect psychosexual well-being among soldiers.
This article highlights the potential benefits of sexual support among soldiers but also raises important questions about its effects on trust, moral reasoning, and well-being. Future research should examine these topics in more detail and explore the role of culture, gender, and individual differences in shaping soldiers' experiences with sexual support.
Understanding the effects of sexual support on military culture and relationships can help us better support our troops and improve their mental health outcomes.
To what extent does sexual support promote interpersonal trust, moral reasoning, and psychosexual well-being among soldiers?
Sexual support can significantly enhance interpersonal trust, moral reasoning, and psychosexual well-being among soldiers. Interpersonal trust refers to the degree of confidence that an individual has in another person's reliability, honesty, and dependability. In this context, sexual support may foster such trust by creating an intimate relationship based on mutual trust and understanding between partners.