Service members regularly experience disruptions to their normal life routines due to military deployment. Deployments can last from several weeks to multiple years and may involve physical separation from family and friends, changes in living arrangements, and unpredictable circumstances that affect daily activities. During these times, it is common for habits and patterns in personal relationships to be interrupted, leading to feelings of anxiety, stress, isolation, and depression. In this context, service members must adapt to new environments while also maintaining strong ties with loved ones back home. The concept of relational continuity refers to the ability of individuals to sustain meaningful and consistent connections with others despite interruptions in regular interaction routines. When deployed, how do service members assess their relational continuity? How do they evaluate whether their relationship is still healthy and stable, even if communication is reduced or absent? This article explores the ways service members measure the strength of their bonds with family members during deployments through different means of communication such as phone calls, emails, letters, social media posts, and video chats.
It discusses strategies for improving relational continuity when faced with challenges like time zone differences, technology issues, and limited access to resources.
Understanding how to maintain strong relationships during deployments is crucial for the well-being of both service members and their loved ones.
This article will explore the factors that influence service members' assessment of relational continuity when habitual interaction routines are disrupted by deployments. It will examine how service members use various forms of communication, including phone calls, emails, letters, social media posts, and video chats, to stay connected with loved ones and maintain a sense of closeness despite physical separation. By examining the role of these communication methods in shaping relational continuity, this article aims to provide insights into the complexities of military life and the importance of supporting service members and their families during times of deployment.
How do service members assess relational continuity when habitual interaction routines are disrupted by deployments?
Researchers have investigated how service members assess their relationships with their partners during deployment. One study found that soldiers tend to overestimate their partner's level of support during deployments but underestimate it upon return from deployment (Renner et al. , 2015). This can lead to feelings of betrayal and mistrust in the relationship after deployment.