Veterans experience trauma, which may alter their perception of life and behavior. They are more likely to be prone to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and violence than civilians. Exposure to war causes them severe psychological distress and increases fear levels, which leads to emotional numbness, aggression, hypervigilance, and lack of trust. In addition, exposure to repeated life-threatening situations can cause veterans to believe they have no control over life and feel helpless. These factors influence how they perceive relational risk, ethical responsibility, and sexual safety. This article explains this process and its effects on interpersonal relationships, morals, and self-esteem.
Relational Risk Perception
Veterans tend to mistrust other people due to their experiences during combat or training. This distrust makes it challenging for them to establish meaningful relationships that require vulnerability and transparency. They view most people as potential threats who might hurt them physically or emotionally. As a result, they remain guarded and withhold themselves from others until they know they are safe. The military teaches soldiers to always be alert and ready for danger in case of an attack. Thus, veterans constantly scan their environment for potential dangers and interpret neutral cues negatively, leading to misinterpretation and confusion. To protect themselves against relational risks, they prefer to stay alone or rely only on close friends.
Ethical Responsibility Perception
During training or conflict, veterans witness and commit acts that violate human rights, such as torture, killings, rape, and abuse. These actions create moral dilemmas as they cannot reconcile them with traditional values and beliefs. Some veterans may think they deserve punishment while others rationalize the behavior by justifying necessity. Either way, these experiences affect their sense of right and wrong, which impacts their choices in civilian life. Veterans may struggle to make decisions because they lack confidence in their judgment. Consequently, they are prone to impulsive behaviors like gambling, drugs, drinking, and violence. It is difficult for them to trust authorities, police, therapists, medical professionals, and government institutions.
Sexual Safety Perception
Combat trauma increases sexual arousal levels, making some veterans engage in high-risk sexual activities. They seek pleasure through intense or dangerous sex without regard for personal safety or emotional consequences. Others avoid intimacy altogether due to fears about being vulnerable and exposed.
A veteran who experienced combat rape during war may find it challenging to have an intimate relationship. The risk of being hurt again makes them less likely to form meaningful relationships. They tend to use noncommittal sexual partners, one-night stands, and casual encounters to avoid commitment, intimacy, and vulnerability. Some may become promiscuous and engage in risky sexual behavior, including unprotected sex, group sex, or online hookups.
How does exposure to repeated life-threatening stress shape veterans' perception of relational risk, ethical responsibility, and sexual safety?
The research suggests that exposure to multiple traumatic experiences, such as being exposed to repeated life-threatening situations during military service, can lead to changes in an individual's perception of relational risk, ethical responsibility, and sexual safety. These changes are not only related to veterans but also to people who have experienced other forms of chronic stress (e. g. , prolonged medical conditions).