The term "LGBT" refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. It is an abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. Couples comprised of these individuals face unique challenges due to deployment or separation from one another. Coping mechanisms that are effective for heterosexual couples may be less so in LGBT ones because of this. Deployment and separation can affect the emotional well-being of LGBT partners differently than their heterosexual counterparts due to societal stigma and homophobia.
Coping strategies can help maintain relational satisfaction during repeated deployments or operational separations. Such coping strategies include communication, positivity, planning, self-care, social support, honesty, openness, trust, empathy, and compromise. These strategies should be employed by both parties within the relationship before, during, and after deployments or separations. Effective communication involves expressing needs, desires, fears, concerns, expectations, etc., as clearly and honestly as possible. Positivity means focusing on what you do have rather than what you don't have, which helps reduce feelings of loneliness and longing. Planning involves scheduling time together before and after a separation and establishing a routine during it. Self-care involves taking care of yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally while apart. Social support means connecting with friends and family who can provide companionship, advice, and encouragement. Honesty, openness, and trust involve being truthful about your feelings and experiences and having faith that your partner will do the same. Empathy involves understanding your partner's perspective and acknowledging their struggles. Compromise involves making sacrifices for each other's benefit and coming up with solutions to problems that satisfy everyone involved.
LGBT couples may also find it helpful to use technology such as video chat, text messaging, and phone calls to stay connected while separated. They can exchange written messages, share photos and videos, or engage in virtual intimacy to maintain physical closeness. It is important for LGBT couples to have a plan for reunification, including how they will reconnect upon returning home. This can help ease anxiety and excitement associated with seeing one another again.
Coping strategies such as communication, positivity, planning, self-care, social support, honesty, openness, trust, empathy, compromise, and technological communication can help LGBT couples maintain relational satisfaction during repeated deployments or operational separations.
Which coping strategies help LGBT couples maintain relational satisfaction during repeated deployments or operational separations?
Maintaining relational satisfaction can be challenging for many military couples who face separation due to deployment or operations. This is particularly true for LGBT couples who may face additional stressors related to their sexual orientation. Coping strategies that have been found helpful for LGBT couples include open communication about expectations and fears, establishing routines, prioritizing quality time together when reunited, and finding support from both within and outside of the relationship.