One way to measure resilience is through the ability of a couple to maintain their bond despite stressful situations. Military couples are no different from regular civilians when it comes to this quality. When soldiers serve in combat zones, they face many challenges that threaten their relationship, including physical separation, emotional distress, trauma exposure, and death threats. Resilient military couples find ways to cope with these difficulties without sacrificing their connection. Sexual activity has been shown to be one such coping mechanism for resilience enhancement in warfare environments.
Some scholars have argued that sexual intimacy can also undermine the psychological state of soldiers who may already suffer from depression or PTSD after experiencing traumatic events during operations. The purpose of this article is to examine how sexual activity affects military couples' resilience during operations. This discussion will focus on three aspects of sexuality: communication, emotion regulation, and self-esteem.
Communication is an essential aspect of sexual activity that promotes resilience in military couples. First, sex requires openness between partners about what they want and need physically, mentally, and emotionally. Couples must communicate effectively to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts related to sexual encounters.
If a soldier feels guilty or embarrassed about his/her sexual desires, they might not express them freely to their partner, leading to frustration and resentment. Similarly, if a soldier cannot initiate sexual intercourse due to fatigue or stress, they should inform their partner beforehand so as not to hurt their feelings. Effective communication helps build trust and respect between partners, which are vital components of resilience. Second, healthy communication allows military spouses to share their concerns and worries related to the deployment and redeployment process. A study by Yarvis et al. (2018) found that couples who engaged in more frequent conversations reported higher levels of marital satisfaction than those who did not.
The emotional aspect of sexuality involves the expression and management of emotions during intimacy. Sexual arousal is usually accompanied by strong feelings of pleasure, joy, and excitement.
Some soldiers may experience negative emotions such as anxiety, shame, guilt, or fear before or during intercourse. These can result from past experiences with trauma, abuse, or other psychological disorders. Emotional regulation enables individuals to manage these feelings and continue with the act without letting them interfere with performance. Resilient couples can recognize when they feel negative emotions and take steps to address them. They can also seek support from mental health professionals or seek help from each other to work through their issues. Research shows that couples who engage in emotional regulation have better outcomes than those who don't.
Studies indicate that couples who communicate effectively about their needs and desires are less likely to experience infidelity or divorce (Kreger, 2019).
Self-esteem refers to an individual's perception of their worth, value, and competence. It plays a crucial role in resilience because it determines how individuals respond to stressful situations. During operations, military spouses may face challenges like separation, death threats, and physical injuries, which can affect self-esteem. A soldier who feels inadequate or insufficient might turn to substance abuse or withdrawal instead of seeking support from their partner.
Resilient partners can maintain high self-esteem by acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses and focusing on positive aspects. This can be achieved through regular communication and sexual intimacy, where both partners affirm each other's worth. Sexual activity is associated with higher levels of self-confidence and empowerment among soldiers (Gonzalez & Mintz, 2020). In summary, sex enhances resilience in military couples by promoting open communication, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. Nevertheless, it can undermine resilience when not used appropriately. Therefore, couples should consider the context of their relationship before deciding to engage in sexual activity during operations.
In what ways does sexual activity enhance or undermine resilience in military couples during operations?
Sexual activity can enhance or undermine resilience in military couples during operations based on various factors such as their individual preferences, personalities, relationship dynamics, and stress levels. Some couples may find it to be a source of comfort and connection that helps them cope with the pressures of deployment, while others may feel anxious or uncomfortable about engaging in intimacy away from home.