How do soldiers adapt relational strategies to support partners' emotional needs following high-risk deployments?
The experience of deployment is always challenging for both members of military couples, but the burden may be even more difficult for partners who stay home while their spouse deploys to dangerous areas. Aside from the usual stressors associated with extended separation, these individuals also have to deal with fear for their partner's safety, financial strain caused by reduced income, changes in household responsibilities, feelings of isolation, uncertainty about the future, and many other concerns that are specific to this situation. Despite all these difficulties, some military couples manage to maintain healthy and fulfilling relationships during and after deployment thanks to effective communication, shared values, understanding, and mutual support. This article will explore how soldiers can adopt relational strategies to help their partners cope with the psychological impact of high-risk deployments.
To start with, it is essential to understand that every relationship goes through different stages when one person is deployed abroad. The pre-deployment stage usually involves several weeks of preparations, such as packing up personal belongings, saying goodbye to family and friends, and arranging logistics for the absence. This period is full of mixed emotions, including excitement, anxiety, anticipation, and sadness. Next comes the actual deployment phase, which lasts between three months and a year depending on the mission duration. During this time, partners must learn to live without their loved ones and navigate new responsibilities at home while dealing with emotional turmoil caused by uncertainty, loneliness, and worry.
There is the reintegration stage, where both members of the couple need time to adjust to each other again and work on overcoming any resentment or mistrust that may have arisen during the separation.
Throughout all these phases, communication plays a crucial role in keeping the relationship strong. Soldiers who want to support their partners' mental wellbeing should strive to keep the lines of dialogue open, share updates about their experiences, ask about the partner's life, and actively listen to their thoughts and feelings. They should also make an effort to be present emotionally even if they cannot physically be there, sending messages frequently, making phone calls or video calls whenever possible, and sharing pictures and videos from the deployment. Partners, on the other hand, should try not to bombard their spouses with questions but instead focus on sharing their own daily routines, challenges, joys, and concerns. By maintaining a consistent and positive flow of information, couples can avoid misunderstandings and prevent resentment from building up.
Another relational strategy is to establish shared values and goals for the future. When soldiers are away, it can be easy to lose sight of common interests, dreams, and aspirations due to the pressure of everyday struggles.
Stay-at-home partners can help by reminding their partners of these aspects of their lives, emphasizing the importance of finding ways to stay connected despite the distance between them.
They could plan trips or activities together once the deployment ends or discuss long-term plans such as buying a house or having children. It's also essential to set realistic expectations regarding the reintegration period and agree on how to handle potential difficulties that may arise, such as adjusting to living together again after months apart.
Mutual support is crucial during high-risk deployments. Soldiers who want to provide emotional stability to their partners must show sensitivity towards their needs and concerns, offer practical assistance when needed, and be willing to listen without judgment. They can do this by asking about their partner's wellbeing regularly, offering hugs and kisses when possible, sharing responsibilities at home, and taking time off work to spend quality time with the family. Partners, in turn, should try not to take out their frustrations on their spouses but rather seek professional help if necessary, communicate openly about any issues that come up, and offer love and encouragement whenever possible. By working together towards the same goal of supporting each other emotionally, military couples can overcome the challenges of high-risk deployments and maintain strong, healthy relationships.
How do soldiers adapt relational strategies to support partners' emotional needs following high-risk deployments?
Soldiers need to be aware of their partner's emotional state during deployment and how they may feel isolated from them while away. It can also be helpful for them to identify ways that they can help manage their partner's stress levels at home while they are gone.