Sexuality plays an important role in human development, wellbeing, and recovery from trauma. It is no different for people who have experienced military service deployment, which can be both physically and psychologically challenging. Research has shown that sexual activity can help deployees cope with stress, improve their mental health, build social support, and promote personal growth and adaptation following difficult experiences. This article explores how sexual encounters, intimate relationships, and romantic love contribute to post-traumatic growth, adaptive coping, and resilience in deployed soldiers.
In the context of warfare, sexual activity is often considered taboo due to cultural stigma, religious beliefs, institutional norms, and gender roles.
Sex can also be a source of comfort, pleasure, and healing for those who are away from home for extended periods of time. Studies suggest that sexual encounters during deployment may provide a sense of normalcy, enhance self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and strengthen resilience. Sexual activity can increase feelings of belongingness, create shared memories, and foster emotional closeness between partners. In addition, it can help release tension and relieve stress through physical stimulation, relaxation, and distraction.
Sexual intimacy may facilitate emotional bonding, empathy, and mutual understanding among deployees. It creates opportunities for expressing vulnerability, sharing thoughts and feelings, establishing trust, and reconnecting with loved ones back home. Soldiers report feeling closer to their partner after having sex on deployment, as they experience heightened levels of connection and emotional intimacy. Sexuality helps them process trauma and build resiliency by providing an outlet for emotions, creating space for communication, and offering support and validation.
Intimate relationships offer deployees a safe haven where they can seek refuge from the chaos and uncertainty of battle. They allow for the expression of feelings, experiences, and concerns without fear of judgment or rejection. Research shows that healthy romantic bonds promote psychological wellbeing and improve coping abilities in high-stress environments. Deployees who engage in loving relationships feel more supported, valued, and validated, which contributes to post-traumatic growth, adaptive coping, and resilience.
Sexual activity, intimate relationships, and romantic love are important sources of resilience and adaptation for deployed soldiers. These experiences provide comfort, pleasure, normalcy, emotional closeness, social support, and meaning during difficult times. They create a sense of belonging, foster positive emotions, and contribute to personal growth and development. Healthy and fulfilling sexual encounters and relationships help deployees cope with stress, process trauma, and develop adaptive coping strategies.
In what ways does sexual activity contribute to post-traumatic growth, adaptive coping, and resilience in deployed soldiers?
Sexual activity can be an important part of life for many people, including military personnel who are deployed to combat zones. It is known that trauma exposure often leads to negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms (Cozza & Bray, 2013; Katz et al. , 2016).