The current global situation brings an increase in deployment of military members from different countries all around the world. While this is important for national defense, it has a significant impact on families that remain behind, especially when it comes to their emotional wellbeing. Prolonged absences of deployed family members create unique relational challenges that can have lasting effects on the family's intimacy, trust, and emotional connection. These crises can be triggered by a wide range of factors such as communication difficulties, financial stressors, changes in household routines, adjustments to new roles, and grief and anxiety about the deployment itself. In this article, I will explore how these relational crises manifest and how they affect intimacy, trust, and emotional connection between family members dealing with prolonged absences of a deployed military member.
Relationship Challenges
One of the most prominent relational crises caused by prolonged deployments is communication difficulties. Military deployments often involve long periods without any contact or limited communication options between the deployed member and their family. This lack of communication can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and disconnection, making it difficult to maintain healthy relationships within the family unit.
Communication breakdowns can also result in misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and frustration, which can further strain already fragile bonds.
Another challenge that arises from prolonged deployments is financial stressors. Deployment-related costs, including travel expenses, childcare, medical bills, and other unexpected expenses, can put an added burden on families who are already struggling financially. The pressure of managing finances while trying to cope with deployment can cause tension and conflict within the family, leading to more relationship issues.
Changes in household routines due to military deployment can also create relational crises. When one parent is away for extended periods, the remaining parent must take on additional responsibilities and adapt to a different way of life, potentially resulting in role changes that can be challenging for everyone involved.
Children may need to adjust to a new parent's presence at home, and spouses may need to assume more domestic duties. These changes can disrupt familial dynamics and make it harder to maintain intimacy and trust.
Grief and anxiety related to deployment itself are common emotions experienced by both the deployed member and their family members. These feelings can manifest as anger, sadness, fear, and depression, creating a sense of distance and disconnect between those left behind and the deployed individual. This grief can lead to a lack of connection and emotional intimacy, making it difficult to rebuild a healthy relationship once the deployment ends.
Impact on Intimacy, Trust, and Emotional Connection
The impact of these relational crises on intimacy, trust, and emotional connection can be significant. Lack of communication and misunderstandings can lead to a breakdown in trust, which can further strain relationships and damage intimacy. Financial stressors can exacerbate this issue, causing additional tension and friction between family members who may feel overwhelmed or resentful. Changes in household routines and role changes can add to the chaos, creating a feeling of instability and uncertainty. Grief and anxiety from deployment-related issues can result in a lack of emotional connection and intimacy between family members, making it hard to rekindle closeness once the deployment ends.
There are ways to mitigate these challenges and strengthen relationships during prolonged deployments. Communication is essential for keeping bonds strong, even when physical contact is limited. Military members should maintain regular communication with their families using available technology such as phone calls, text messages, video chats, and emails. Families can also establish ground rules for communication that prioritize transparency, honesty, and respect.
Financial stressors can be eased by establishing a budget and seeking financial counseling. This can help ease tensions and enable families to make better decisions about spending habits and investment strategies. Family members should work together to manage finances, ensuring everyone's needs are met while remaining mindful of budget constraints.
Changes in household routines can be addressed by adjusting schedules and responsibilities accordingly. Families can find creative ways to stay connected despite altered roles, such as video game nights, movie marathons, or other shared activities. Spouses can develop new routines and rituals that support each other's wellbeing and build trust within the relationship.
Grief and anxiety related to deployment should be acknowledged and discussed openly. Family members should express their feelings honestly and seek professional assistance if necessary. Support groups or therapy can provide valuable resources for processing difficult emotions and building emotional connection.
Military deployments create unique relational crises that can affect intimacy, trust, and emotional connection between family members left behind. These challenges can be mitigated through effective communication, addressing financial stressors, adapting to role changes, and recognizing grief and anxiety. By taking actionable steps towards preserving relationships during prolonged absences, families can ensure lasting bonds and healthy connections when the deployed member returns home.
What relational crises emerge in families dealing with prolonged absences of a deployed military member, and how do these crises affect intimacy, trust, and emotional connection?
Relational crises that may occur in families dealing with prolonged absences of a deployed military member include strained communication, increased stress, lack of emotional support, feelings of isolation, and financial difficulties. These crises can negatively impact intimacy, trust, and emotional connection within families. The absence of a family member for an extended period can lead to changes in family dynamics, such as parents taking on additional responsibilities and children feeling abandoned or overlooked.