The phenomenon of repeated military deployments has been a reality for many military families around the world. While these deployments are necessary to maintain national security, they can put a strain on marriages and relationships.
Some couples have managed to stay emotionally close despite the distance created by such deployments. This article explores the psychological mechanisms that enable them to do so.
One mechanism is communication. Military couples who communicate effectively can maintain emotional closeness even when apart. They make an effort to keep each other updated on their lives and share important events and milestones. They also ensure that they set aside time for meaningful conversations when they are together, discussing their hopes, fears, and dreams. These regular check-ins help to build trust and understanding between partners, which can help sustain emotional closeness.
Another mechanism is compromise. In order to maintain emotional closeness, military couples must be willing to make sacrifices and compromises.
One partner may agree to take on more household responsibilities or childcare duties while the other is deployed, or they may plan weekend getaways or vacations together in advance. By working together towards a common goal, they can maintain a sense of connection even when separated by great distances.
A third mechanism is resilience. Military couples face challenges that most civilian couples cannot imagine, including the threat of separation due to injury or death. As such, they develop coping strategies to deal with stress and uncertainty. They learn to accept the fact that their relationship will always involve periods of absence and adjust accordingly. They also cultivate a sense of optimism and hope, believing that the deployment will end and they will reunite soon.
Military couples rely on support networks. They seek out emotional and practical support from friends, family members, and fellow soldiers. They attend support groups and participate in community activities to stay connected to others who understand their situation. This network provides emotional validation, advice, and practical assistance, helping them cope with deployment stressors and maintain emotional closeness.
Military couples who wish to maintain emotional closeness during deployments must work hard at it. Communication, compromise, resilience, and support networks are all crucial mechanisms that enable them to do so. By applying these principles, they can navigate the challenges of deployment and remain emotionally close despite physical distance.
Which psychological mechanisms allow couples to maintain emotional closeness despite repeated deployments?
According to studies on military couples' relationships during deployment, several factors contribute to the maintenance of emotional closeness despite separation. Firstly, regular communication between partners helps them stay connected emotionally even when physically apart. Secondly, having a shared understanding of each other's values, beliefs, and goals can strengthen their bond.