The study of how military service members and their partners experience separation due to deployment is an important area of research that can inform intervention strategies for maintaining healthy relationships during periods of forced distance. Deployment-related separation has been associated with decreased relationship satisfaction, increased distress, and negative psychological effects such as anxiety and depression.
Less is known about how deployment-related separations may impact sexual functioning and emotional investment in relationships. One possible mechanism through which deployment-related separation could affect these outcomes is through changes in sexual motivation and sexual intimacy.
Sexual motivation refers to an individual's desire or willingness to engage in sexual behavior, while emotional investment refers to the degree to which individuals are emotionally attached to a partner. Studies have shown that military service members report lower levels of sexual motivation compared to civilians, which may be related to factors such as stress and fatigue from deployments.
Previous studies have found that military service members report greater emotional attachment to their partners than civilians. These findings suggest that deployment-related separation may disrupt sexual motivation and emotional investment by removing the physical presence of the partner, leading to reduced opportunities for sexual interaction and emotional connection.
One potential effect of deployment-related separation on sexual motivation is a decrease in sexual frequency or quality. This decrease in sexual activity may be due to a variety of factors, including increased workload, fear of rejection, and concerns about infidelity.
Service members who feel they cannot meet the expectations of their partners may experience feelings of guilt and shame, which can negatively impact their sexual motivation. Similarly, service members who worry about being away from their partners during critical moments in their relationship (such as pregnancy) may experience decreased motivation to initiate sex. In addition, deployment-related separation may lead to changes in the way partners communicate with each other, which can further affect sexual motivation. Partners may become less likely to express their needs and desires, leading to misunderstandings and frustration.
Deployment-related separation may also impact emotional investment by reducing opportunities for intimacy and closeness. The absence of regular contact with a partner can create distance between them, making it harder to build trust and intimacy over time. Service members and their partners may feel less connected to one another, leading to reduced emotional investment and attachment.
These effects may contribute to lower levels of satisfaction and commitment within relationships, potentially leading to breakups or divorce.
It is important to note that not all deployments are created equal when it comes to the anticipatory phase, which refers to the period prior to actual separation. Some military couples may have experienced several previous deployments, while others may be facing a first deployment together. Further, some service members may be able to communicate regularly with their partners during deployment, while others may only receive brief updates. This variation suggests that researchers should examine how different deployment conditions may differentially impact sexual motivation and emotional investment.
Despite these challenges, there are steps that service members and their partners can take to maintain healthy sexual functioning and emotional investment during deployment-related separations.
They can engage in activities that promote physical intimacy (such as holding hands or cuddling) even if they cannot engage in sexual activity. They can also communicate openly about their needs and desires to reduce feelings of guilt or shame related to sex.
They can seek support from peers or professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by military families. By taking these steps, service members and their partners can navigate deployment-related separations in a way that promotes sexual fulfillment and relationship strengthening.
How does the anticipation of deployment-related separation affect sexual motivation and emotional investment?
The anticipation of deployment-related separation may lead to changes in sexual motivation and emotional investment. Separation anxiety can cause individuals to engage in risky behavior such as casual sex, which increases their chances of contracting STIs or unwanted pregnancy (Houser & Koss, 2019). This can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and regret, which can damage relationships with loved ones (Sutton et al.