Long-Distance Military Relationships
Long-distance relationships are challenging for everyone involved. When one partner is away from home for extended periods of time due to their service in the military, it can be even more difficult.
There are strategies that can help promote positive outcomes such as adaptive coping and relational satisfaction. One strategy is to maintain open communication through frequent contact via phone calls, video chats, and text messages. This allows both partners to stay connected and feel supported during this difficult time. Another strategy is to plan special occasions together like anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays so they do not miss important milestones.
Setting goals for when you will reunite and making plans for what to do once back together helps keep your relationship strong.
Finding ways to build trust and intimacy through honesty and transparency about your feelings and needs can strengthen the connection between you.
Adaptive Coping
Coping skills refer to how people respond to stressful situations. Adaptive coping involves using healthy strategies that minimize negative emotions while promoting positive ones. In long-distance military relationships, adaptive coping can include activities such as journaling or meditation which provide a space for processing difficult emotions. It can also involve social support by connecting with friends who understand the situation or joining a support group. Engaging in meaningful hobbies or pursuing personal interests can give a sense of purpose and reduce feelings of isolation. Other methods include maintaining routines and healthy habits such as exercise, nutrition, and sleep schedules. These strategies can help individuals cope with the challenges of being apart from their loved one while still feeling engaged in life.
Relational Satisfaction
Relational satisfaction refers to the overall quality of a relationship, including levels of commitment, communication, and intimacy. To promote relational satisfaction, it's essential to be patient and understanding during times of separation. This means acknowledging that there may be limitations on communication due to technology restrictions but focusing on what is possible rather than what isn't. Being flexible with scheduling and trying new things together over distance such as cooking recipes or virtual tours of different locations can enhance closeness. Setting realistic expectations about when video chats will occur and setting aside time for them can ensure both partners feel valued and prioritized.
Taking care of yourself emotionally by recognizing your own needs and addressing any concerns can lead to greater self-confidence and wellbeing which positively impacts the relationship.
Promoting adaptive coping and relational satisfaction requires dedication and effort from both parties involved in a long-distance military relationship. By utilizing these strategies, couples can navigate this difficult situation successfully while strengthening their bond.
What strategies promote adaptive coping and relational satisfaction in long-distance military relationships?
Research has indicated that effective communication, active problem solving, expressing gratitude and appreciation for one another, and creating shared meaning through shared activities are some of the strategies that can promote adaptive coping and relational satisfaction in long-distance military relationships (Gilbert & Malouff, 2019). Active listening, empathic responses, and reflective listening skills also help build trust and intimacy between partners despite geographical distances (Davison et al.