Military service can be an incredibly stressful experience for both men and women who serve their country. While serving, individuals are placed in situations that may cause them to feel isolated from friends and family members back home, leading to increased levels of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In addition to this, they also face extreme physical challenges such as long hours of work, lack of sleep, danger, injury, and even death. This situation is exacerbated when military partners have emotional labor roles within their relationship, which require them to manage their partner's feelings and needs while simultaneously managing their own emotions and responsibilities.
Emotional labor refers to the management of one's own feelings and those of others, particularly within social interactions. It involves the effort to regulate and express emotions appropriately in order to create favorable outcomes for oneself or others. Emotional labor has been linked to job satisfaction, productivity, job performance, burnout, and overall well-being. It also plays a critical role in sustaining relationships under stress by allowing couples to maintain intimacy despite distance and other challenges.
In military relationships, emotional labor often takes on different forms depending on the individual and the specific situation.
A spouse might take on more domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare to ease some of the burden on their partner who is away on deployment. They might also provide supportive listening, empathy, encouragement, and reassurance during times of difficulty or hardship. In turn, the service member may offer their partner praise and validation for these efforts, creating a sense of connection and belonging that can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Emotional labor can be difficult to balance with the demands of military life, especially if it becomes overwhelming. Couples may find themselves feeling drained, resentful, or even unappreciated by their partners when they feel like they are doing all the heavy lifting emotionally. This can lead to conflict, disconnection, and even relationship breakdowns if not addressed early on. Therefore, it is important for both individuals to recognize how much work each person is doing, communicate openly about their needs, and find ways to share the load equally where possible.
It's important to note that while emotional labor can be an effective way to sustain a military relationship under stress, it does not guarantee success. Other factors such as communication, trust, mutual respect, and shared values must also be present in order for couples to remain connected and committed.
Seeking professional help from counselors or therapists trained in working with military families can be beneficial in navigating the unique challenges that come with this type of relationship. By recognizing the role of emotional labor in sustaining military relationships, couples can work together to maintain intimacy and connection despite the stresses of military life.
What role does emotional labor play in sustaining military relationships under stress?
Emotional labor refers to the management of emotions that individuals must engage in when interacting with others. It entails regulating one's own feelings and expressions as well as interpreting and responding appropriately to other people's emotions. In the context of military relationships under stress, emotional labor can play a critical role in maintaining healthy and supportive bonds between partners.