Increased Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Military Personnel
The term "military-induced trauma" refers to experiences associated with combat that can affect soldiers' mental health. This includes witnessing death, injuries, violence, torture, dismemberment, destruction, and grief. It also includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and insomnia, which may lead to increased risk-taking behaviors among military personnel. Sexual risk-taking behavior is one such behavior that has been linked to military-induced trauma. It involves engaging in high-risk activities that increase the likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. These sexually transmitted infections are spread through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They cause symptoms ranging from painful ulcers to infertility.
How does military-induced trauma influence sexual risk-taking behaviors?
Military personnel undergo many stressors before, during, and after deployment. These include separation from loved ones, sleep deprivation, injury, threat of injury, being in a warzone, experiencing enemy fire, loss of colleagues, and seeing dead bodies. These experiences heighten anxiety and depression, increase aggression and impulsivity, decrease self-esteem, and interfere with concentration. As a result, soldiers may turn to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and risky sexual practices as coping mechanisms.
They might seek comfort in casual sexual encounters where intimacy isn't a priority. They might have unprotected sex with strangers, multiple partners, or without condoms. The combination of military-induced trauma and substance abuse leads to risky behavior.
What are some common sexual risk-taking behaviors among military personnel?
Some common sexual risk-taking behaviors among military personnel include:
- Having multiple sex partners without protection
- Engaging in high-risk sexual activities like unprotected sex, group sex, or BDSM (bondage/discipline/sadism/masochism)
- Seeking out casual sex or anonymous hookups on dating apps, social media, or at bars/clubs
- Going to brothels or paying for sex
- Attending fetish parties or swingers clubs
- Ignoring symptoms of STIs (e.g., sores, rashes, itching)
- Failing to disclose HIV status to partners
- Engaging in risky sex with men who have sex with other men (MSM)
- Having sex without establishing boundaries or consent
- Engaging in unsafe sexual practices that increase the chance of contracting STIs (e.g., anal or vaginal intercourse)
- Not using contraceptives correctly or consistently (e.g., forgetting to take birth control pills)
How can military personnel avoid engaging in risky sexual behaviors?
Military personnel can reduce their chances of contracting an STI by practicing safe sex. This includes:
- Using condoms during vaginal, anal, oral sex
- Getting tested regularly for STIs and sharing results with partners
- Avoiding drugs and alcohol before or during sex
- Limiting the number of sexual partners
- Communicating with partners about sexual preferences and boundaries
- Establishing and respecting safe word(s) if participating in high-risk activities like BDSM
- Learning how to negotiate safer sex practices with partners
- Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B, HPV, and HSV-2
- Seeking counseling for mental health issues like PTSD and depression
- Taking medications to prevent STIs (e.g., PrEP for HIV)
How does military-induced trauma influence sexual risk-taking behaviors?
Military-induced trauma can have various effects on an individual's sexual behavior, including changes in their willingness to engage in risky sexual practices. This could be due to several factors such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and changes in social networks. Individuals with PTSD may experience intense fear or anxiety that can make them avoid close contact with others, which can lead to a decrease in sexual intimacy.