Soldiers who are away from their partners for extended periods of time often experience a range of emotions that can be difficult to manage. These emotions may include feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress, which can make it hard for them to focus on their duties and perform well. To cope with these challenges, some soldiers turn to hobbies or activities that allow them to take their minds off of their partners' absence. Others may seek out social support networks or engage in meaningful conversations with their comrades. Some even choose to keep busy by focusing on work or training exercises.
Many soldiers struggle with these strategies and instead find themselves struggling with relational dissonance created by partner absence and emotional change. This is when the soldier feels torn between their duty to serve their country and their desire to maintain healthy relationships back home. In this blog post, we will explore how soldiers cope with this dilemma and provide tips for managing relational dissonance during deployment. We will also discuss the importance of open communication with loved ones and ways to stay connected while apart. By understanding the challenges faced by deployed soldiers, we can better support those who serve our country and help ensure they have access to the resources they need to maintain positive relationships and mental health.
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One common strategy used by soldiers to manage relational dissonance is to focus on their work and training exercises. This helps distract them from thoughts about their partners and provides an opportunity to release tension and frustration.
Some soldiers use hobbies as a way to stay engaged and entertained. Hobbies like reading, writing, or playing video games can be especially helpful in allowing them to escape into another world and forget about their problems. Another strategy is to seek out social support networks. This can include connecting with other service members or families at their base, participating in community events, or joining online groups dedicated to supporting military families. For some soldiers, however, these strategies are not enough to ease the pain of separation. They may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking alcohol, using drugs, or engaging in risky behaviors that put themselves and others in danger. These behaviors only exacerbate the emotional stress and can lead to long-term consequences that impact both the soldier's personal life and their ability to perform well on the job.
Another important aspect of managing relational dissonance is to prioritize communication with loved ones back home. This includes making time for regular phone calls, sending letters or emails, and setting aside time for video chats. It is also important to communicate openly about feelings and concerns related to the deployment and make sure everyone involved understands each other's needs. This can help prevent misunderstandings and maintain strong relationships even when separated by distance.
Many couples find it helpful to establish ground rules for communication before the partner deploys. This might involve agreeing on specific times to talk or topics to avoid during conversations. Some couples even choose to use a third-party mediator to help facilitate difficult discussions and ensure they stay connected while apart.
The most effective way to manage relational dissonance is to work together as a team to support one another through this challenging time. By being open and honest about feelings and needs, couples can build resilience and strengthen their relationship even when faced with separation.
Soldiers face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining healthy relationships during deployment. Relational dissonance created by partner absence and emotional change can be difficult to navigate but there are strategies available to help manage these challenges. Whether it is focusing on work, engaging in hobbies, seeking social support, communicating regularly, or working together as a team, there are options available to help service members cope with this stressful situation. With proper planning and support, deployed soldiers can maintain positive relationships that will last long after they return home.
How do soldiers cope with relational dissonance created by partner absence and emotional change?
While some soldiers experience profound distress upon separation from their partners due to war deployment, others may be able to cope effectively with this relational dissonance through various adaptations. The coping strategies used can vary depending on individual differences such as age, gender, personality traits, military rank, combat experiences, social support systems, and cultural background.