The idea that people are more likely to consider their own death when they are experiencing trauma is well established within psychology and behavioral sciences. This concept has been labeled "combat mortality salience" since it was first proposed by Preston and de Waal in 1972. According to this theory, exposure to reminders of one's own vulnerability to physical harm can trigger thoughts about death and ultimately influence attitudes toward life. In particular, combat mortality salience has been found to heighten individuals' willingness to take risks for reproductive goals such as mating and procreation.
Little research has investigated how this phenomenon affects prioritization of relational needs in general, including romantic partnerships and sexual desires.
Researchers have attempted to investigate the relationship between combat mortality salience and relational needs using various methods.
Some studies have focused on the impact of combat mortality salience on individuals' perceptions of intimacy and support from their romantic partner or friends. Others have examined how combat mortality salience influences the likelihood of engaging in sexual behaviors with a partner. While these studies have generated interesting findings, there remains a need for further exploration of this topic.
One possible explanation for the effects of combat mortality salience on relational and sexual needs is that it may increase individuals' perceived sense of urgency around these issues. When faced with the possibility of death, people may feel an increased pressure to fulfill important goals before they pass away. This could lead them to prioritize relationships or sexual encounters over other pursuits, leading to greater investment in these areas.
Combat mortality salience may encourage individuals to seek out specific emotional or physical experiences that are linked to survival or reproduction.
People who experience trauma during combat might be more likely to desire sex for purposes of pleasure or conception rather than mere bonding with a partner.
Not all studies support this hypothesis. Some evidence suggests that combat mortality salience can actually decrease the importance of relational and sexual needs by increasing feelings of existential dread. In one study, participants exposed to combat mortality salience reported lower levels of satisfaction with their relationships and less interest in dating or sexual activity compared to those who were not. Another experiment found that exposure to reminders of death led participants to reduce their involvement in social activities and focus instead on self-preservation tasks.
Research indicates that combat mortality salience has complex effects on relational and sexual needs, depending on individual factors such as personality, context, and coping strategies. Future research should continue to explore these nuances and shed light on how best to manage the psychological impacts of trauma on intimacy and sexuality.
Understanding the ways in which combat mortality salience affects prioritization of relational and sexual needs could inform interventions for individuals experiencing trauma and improve overall quality of life.
In what ways does combat mortality salience affect prioritization of relational and sexual needs?
According to the findings from recent studies on how combat mortality salience impacts individuals' prioritization of relational and sexual needs, it appears that experiencing death-related stimuli increases people's motivation to seek physical closeness with others as well as their desire for intimacy (Bonanno et al. , 2017).