The impact of deployment on military personnel and their families can be profound, leading to a range of psychological, behavioral, and interpersonal difficulties that may persist for months or even years afterward. One such difficulty is emotional distress, which can manifest as anxiety, depression, anger, isolation, irritability, or guilt.
Deployment can place strains on relationships, including increased conflict, decreased communication, and changes in roles and responsibilities within the family.
Some research suggests that partner empathy may play an important role in buffering against these negative outcomes.
Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, often conveyed through nonverbal cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Partner empathy specifically involves understanding and responding to the emotions and experiences of one's romantic partner. This type of empathy has been linked to improved relationship satisfaction and communication, as well as reduced conflict and stress in general.
Studies have shown that partner empathy can also mitigate the effects of post-deployment distress and relational strain among veterans and their spouses/partners.
One study found that partner empathy was associated with lower levels of PTSD symptoms and greater marital quality in couples who had experienced deployment. Another study showed that higher levels of partner empathy were related to less distress during the reintegration process for both partners.
It is not clear exactly how partner empathy buffers against these negative outcomes. It may be that individuals with more empathic partners feel better understood and supported, leading to increased resilience and coping skills. Alternatively, partner empathy could help facilitate open communication and problem-solving, which can reduce conflict and distress. Further research is needed to explore these mechanisms in more detail.
Partner empathy appears to be a critical factor in buffering against post-deployment emotional distress and relational strain. Military personnel and their families should strive to maintain healthy relationships by actively listening and validating each other's feelings, seeking support when needed, and prioritizing communication and intimacy.
What role does partner empathy play in buffering against post-deployment emotional distress and relational strain?
Partner empathy plays a significant role in buffering against both post-deployment emotional distress and relational strain because it can help reduce the negative effects of deployment on individuals' mental health and relationships with their partners. When partners show empathy towards each other, they are more likely to understand each other's feelings and experiences during times of stress and conflict, which can lead to greater emotional closeness and support.