Differences in attachment styles have been found to impact relational adaptation after military deployment. Attachment theory posits that an individual's early childhood experiences shape their internal working model of how they view relationships, including romantic ones.
Secure individuals have a positive view of themselves and others, while anxious individuals tend to be preoccupied with relationship instability, and avoidant individuals prefer autonomy over intimacy. These differences can affect relational adaptation when one partner returns from deployment because they may lead to different expectations for support, intimacy, and communication. Sexual satisfaction post-deployment is also influenced by these factors, as those who feel supported and connected are more likely to experience higher levels of sexual fulfillment.
There is still much to learn about the specific mechanisms underlying these effects. In this article, I will examine research on how attachment style affects relational adaptation and sexual satisfaction post-deployment.
Research Overview
Research has examined the impact of attachment style on several aspects of relational functioning post-deployment, including reunion, conflict resolution, and commitment. One study found that military partners with secure attachment styles were more satisfied with their relationships than those with insecure attachment styles (Ellis & King, 2016). Another study showed that secure individuals had greater marital quality than insecure individuals following deployment (Hamilton et al., 2015).
A study demonstrated that avoidant individuals reported lower relationship satisfaction compared to other groups (Kennedy et al., 2017).
Research has indicated that anxiously attached individuals may be more likely to engage in negative communication during conflict (Muller et al., 2019), which could hinder reunion and ultimately harm long-term relationship satisfaction.
Attachment Style and Relational Adaptation
The literature suggests that there are multiple ways in which attachment style influences relational adaptation after military deployment. First, attachment style shapes how individuals perceive their partner's availability and responsiveness.
Anxious individuals tend to interpret their partner's behavior as less supportive or unresponsive (Hamilton et al., 2018), whereas secure individuals have more positive perceptions of their partner's caregiving efforts. This can lead to different expectations for emotional support, intimacy, and connection, which can influence how well couples cope with stressors like separation and reunification. Secondly, attachment style impacts how individuals respond to conflict. Secure individuals use constructive strategies such as active listening and problem-solving, while avoidant individuals tend to withdraw from conflict or minimize its importance (Gardner & Wittig, 2016).
Attachment style affects commitment to the relationship. Individuals with secure attachments tend to feel more committed to their partners than those with insecure attachments (Watson et al., 2015).
Impact on Sexual Satisfaction
Research has also explored the effects of attachment style on sexual satisfaction post-deployment. One study found that individuals with secure attachments were more likely to report higher levels of sexual fulfillment compared to those with insecure attachments (Ellis & King, 2016). Another study showed that secure individuals reported greater sexual satisfaction, while anxiously attached individuals experienced lower levels of sexual satisfaction (Tennov et al., 2019). Avoidant individuals had intermediate levels of sexual satisfaction compared to other groups. These findings suggest that attachment style may influence relational adaptation and sexual satisfaction by shaping expectations for support, intimacy, and connection within a romantic relationship.
Those who have secure attachments may be more comfortable expressing needs and desires with their partner, leading to increased sexual fulfillment. In contrast, anxious individuals may experience higher levels of anxiety around expressing themselves sexually, which could hinder satisfaction.
Future Directions
While research has demonstrated how attachment style impacts relational adaptation and sexual satisfaction post-deployment, there are still many questions left unanswered. It is unclear whether these effects are temporary or long-term, and what factors moderate them.
Future studies should explore gender differences in attachment style and its impact on relational outcomes, as well as cultural influences on attachment styles.
It would be valuable to examine interventions aimed at promoting healthy relational functioning among military couples, particularly those with insecure attachments. By addressing these gaps, we can better understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between attachment style and relational adaptation and sexual satisfaction post-deployment.
How do differences in attachment styles affect relational adaptation and sexual satisfaction post-deployment?
In terms of attachment styles, individuals who are more anxious tend to have lower self-esteem and higher levels of fear in relationships (Brennan & Shaver, 2016). This can lead them to be less confident about their ability to sustain a healthy relationship and may cause them to overly rely on their partner for support and validation (Brennan et al. , 2017).