Sexual coercion refers to unwanted sexual behavior that occurs through manipulation, force, pressure, abuse, or threat of harm against another person. It may include acts such as rape, groping, kissing without consent, forced nudity, or verbal sexual harassment. Sexual coercion is common among soldiers, who often face stressful situations where they feel vulnerable and powerless. This can lead to negative psychological consequences that impact their long-term adaptation and emotional resilience.
The impact of sexual coercion on soldiers' psychosocial adaptation varies depending on several factors, including age, gender, social support network, and prior experiences. Younger soldiers may struggle more with adapting to the trauma and recovering from it due to their limited coping skills and maturity level. Women are more likely to experience long-lasting effects than men because they tend to internalize guilt and shame associated with victimization, which can result in feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem. Soldiers who lack social support may also have difficulty adjusting to the trauma and may feel isolated and alone in their experiences.
Experiences of sexual coercion can significantly impact a soldier's emotional resilience, leading to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. PTSD manifests as intrusive thoughts about the incident, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and arousal responses. Anxiety and depression may present as persistent fear and worry, low energy levels, insomnia, loss of interest in activities, and suicidal ideation. Substance abuse can be used as an escape mechanism or way to numb painful memories, but it can also exacerbate existing mental health issues.
Long-term coping strategies for soldiers who have experienced sexual coercation include seeking professional help, such as therapy, medications, and support groups. They should also practice self-care techniques like exercise, meditation, and mindfulness to reduce stress and improve well-being. It is essential to acknowledge and validate their experiences without judgment and provide them with a safe space to express themselves. This includes listening actively, offering empathy, and not pressuring them into sharing too much information.
How do experiences of sexual coercion impact long-term psychosocial adaptation and emotional resilience in soldiers?
Sexual coercion refers to nonconsensual sexual acts that are forced upon individuals by others (Davis et al. , 2016). It can have severe consequences on victims' physical and mental health, as well as their social life. According to Davis et al. (2016), experiencing sexual coercion may lead to PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem, and isolation among soldiers.