Marriage is a fundamental aspect of human society that involves sharing lives, experiences, emotions, and commitments. Sexual satisfaction is another essential component that keeps couples bonding and connected, especially during times of stress. Deployment has become an increasingly common occurrence for military families, often leading to extended periods apart. This separation can have significant impacts on both marriage and sexual satisfaction, but little research exists about its long-term effects.
Repeated deployments are becoming more frequent in modern militaries
Modern wars are fought across vast areas and require increased troop rotations due to logistical and strategic reasons. Military personnel may spend months or even years away from home without breaks between tours. These repeated separations have a profound effect on marriages and intimate relationships, particularly because of the physical distance and uncertainty surrounding them. Separation anxiety, loneliness, fear, and depression can result in decreased communication, trust, and closeness within the relationship. Marital conflict also increases, as partners struggle to manage their emotions while maintaining normal family life. The frequency and duration of deployment make it challenging to return to a regular routine after each tour.
Effects of deployments on marital satisfaction
Separations caused by repeated deployments lead to a decrease in marital satisfaction over time. A study conducted among military couples found that those with greater levels of separation anxiety had lower overall marriage quality than those who were not separated frequently (Murphy et al., 2019). In addition, deployed spouses reported more negative communication patterns than non-deployed spouses, which could strain relationships further (Harris & Murphy, 2020).
Those whose partner was still deployed had reduced feelings of support, connection, and emotional bonding compared to others (Yeager et al., 2020).
Effects of deployments on sexual satisfaction
Sexual satisfaction is another area that can be affected by frequent deployments. Military couples tend to report less sexually satisfying experiences during periods of extended separation due to changes in physical intimacy, attraction, desire, and arousal (Boothby et al., 2017). Deployed individuals may feel disconnected from their partner's needs and desires and find it harder to express themselves sexually. This can lead to reduced sexual activity or poorer quality interactions when reunited.
Those who experienced deployment before the age of 35 reported decreased sexual functioning, including erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness, indicating long-term effects (Fleming et al., 2016).
The impacts of repeated deployments on marital and sexual satisfaction are significant, but more research is needed to understand them fully.
The current data suggest that these separations can have lasting consequences for both partners, leading to lower satisfaction levels over time. Military families need additional support and resources to navigate these challenges effectively, including counseling services, education programs, and policies that promote communication and flexibility.
What are the long-term effects of repeated deployment-related separations on marital and sexual satisfaction?
Researchers have found that repeated deployment-related separations can significantly impact marital and sexual satisfaction over time. The prolonged absence of partners during deployment can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression among military spouses, which may negatively affect their relationships with their significant others. Additionally, frequent deployments can result in changes in communication patterns and intimacy levels between couples, potentially leading to misunderstandings and conflict.