LGBTQIA+ persons are often subject to prejudice, discrimination, and violence due to their identity. This is particularly true for those who serve in the military. As a result, many LGBTQIA+ service members feel compelled to conceal their identities from colleagues and superiors, which can lead to psychological distress and other negative outcomes.
Some individuals may find it more difficult than others to maintain secrecy and may experience disclosure problems that impact their wellbeing. In this article, we will explore how unit culture affects disclosure, intimacy, and relational autonomy among LGBT personnel.
Unit culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, norms, and practices within a particular group. It is shaped by factors such as organizational structure, leadership style, workplace environment, and social dynamics. Research suggests that unit culture plays an important role in influencing the behavior of personnel.
Researchers have found that units with strong cohesion tend to exhibit higher levels of trust and camaraderie, while those with weak cohesion tend to exhibit lower levels of these qualities (McGrath & Chappell, 2016). Unit culture also shapes relationships between personnel, including sexual ones.
Disclosure refers to the act of revealing personal information about one's self or situation to another person. In the context of sexuality, disclosing one's identity may be necessary in order to form meaningful relationships.
Doing so carries risks of rejection, discrimination, and violence. Therefore, LGBTQIA+ service members must carefully consider when and how they disclose their identity. Some studies suggest that certain types of unit culture make it easier for people to disclose their identities.
Research has shown that personnel who serve in more liberal-leaning units are less likely to experience negative consequences from disclosing their identities than those in conservative units (Deschamps et al., 2017). This may be due to differences in attitudes towards diversity, tolerance, and openness.
Intimacy involves sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others on an emotional level. It requires trust, vulnerability, and mutual respect. Intimacy is crucial for building close relationships, but can be difficult to achieve if individuals feel unable or unwilling to share certain aspects of themselves. Research suggests that unit culture impacts intimacy in several ways. First, it influences the degree to which personnel feel comfortable discussing their identities with colleagues. Second, it determines whether and how personnel interact socially outside of work hours, which affects opportunities for developing intimate connections. Third, it shapes expectations about privacy and confidentiality, which can either support or hinder disclosure. Fourth, it shapes interactions between superiors and subordinates, which can influence power dynamics and interpersonal communication.
It may shape attitudes towards same-sex relationships, which can limit opportunities for intimacy among LGBTQIA+ service members.
Relational autonomy refers to the ability to form and maintain healthy, satisfying relationships based on individual needs and desires. Personnel need relational autonomy in order to avoid coercive or abusive relationships, as well as to establish relationships that meet their unique needs. Unit culture plays a role in this process by shaping interactions between personnel and influencing expectations around relationship formation and maintenance.
Research has found that units with strong cohesion tend to exhibit higher levels of social support, while those with weak cohesion exhibit lower levels (McGrath & Chappell, 2016). This means that personnel in more cohesive units are more likely to seek out social support when needed and less likely to experience rejection. In addition, research suggests that personnel in liberal-leaning units are more likely to report positive experiences forming romantic relationships than those in conservative units (Deschamps et al., 2017). This may be due to differences in attitudes towards diversity and acceptance.
Unit culture significantly impacts disclosure, intimacy, and relational autonomy among LGBTQIA+ service members. Understanding these effects is important for improving the psychological health and wellbeing of personnel. Policymakers and military leaders should work to create inclusive cultures that foster openness, tolerance, and respect for all individuals.
They should provide resources and training to help personnel navigate challenging situations related to sexual identity. By doing so, we can ensure that all personnel have the opportunity to thrive and achieve personal goals within the military setting.
In what ways does unit culture affect disclosure, intimacy, and relational autonomy among LGBT personnel?
Disclosing one's sexual orientation can be challenging for anyone, but it may be particularly difficult for LGBT personnel working within closed military units where social norms are more likely to stigmatize homosexuality. Research has shown that cultural factors like gender roles, religion, and social status can influence how comfortable someone feels about coming out and the level of support they receive from their colleagues.