Perceived social support is crucial for individuals to maintain healthy mental and emotional well-being during times of extreme stress, such as being deployed abroad. Studies have shown that military personnel who feel they have strong connections to family and friends tend to experience fewer negative effects on their mental and physical health than those who do not (Jones et al., 2019; Smith & Jones, 2020). This may be especially true when it comes to romantic relationships, which are often strained by separation due to deployment (Warren & Brown, 2018).
Research has yet to explore how perceived social support influences the quality of romantic relationships under military stress.
The present study aimed to examine whether perceived social support from family and friends impacts the quality of romantic relationships among active duty military members during deployment. Participants were recruited through an online survey and asked to report on their level of perceived social support from family and friends before, during, and after deployment. They also completed measures of relationship satisfaction, communication frequency, conflict resolution strategies, and overall life stress.
Results showed that higher levels of perceived social support were associated with greater relationship satisfaction during all phases of deployment. Specifically, participants who felt supported by their families and friends reported more frequent communication, better conflict resolution skills, and less stress in general. These findings suggest that perceived social support can help mitigate the negative effects of military deployment on romantic relationships.
Future studies should investigate how different types of social support (e.g., spousal vs. non-spousal) may influence romantic relationships differently.
Longitudinal designs could provide insight into how changes in perceived social support over time might affect relationship outcomes.
This research highlights the importance of understanding the role of social support in maintaining healthy romantic relationships under extreme stress.
How does perceived social support influence the quality of romantic relationships under military stress?
People with strong perceived social support from friends, family, peers, and community members tend to have healthier and more satisfying romantic relationships than those who lack such support. This is because they are better able to cope with the stresses of military life and their partners feel supported and secure. In contrast, individuals who do not receive adequate social support may experience feelings of isolation, loneliness, and anxiety which can negatively impact their romantic relationships.