Soldiers returning from deployment often experience challenges reintegrating into civilian life, including difficulty adjusting to family roles and routines. These difficulties can lead to increased stress levels, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that impact their ability to maintain stable relationships with loved ones. Emotional responsiveness refers to how a person responds to social cues and displays positive feelings towards others. Research has shown that partners play a crucial role in supporting relational stability during these transitions. This article will explore ways in which partners can support relational stability when soldiers' emotional responsiveness is inconsistent post-deployment.
Partners who have deployed military members in their lives must be proactive in creating a safe space for communication. This means actively listening and validating their partner's experiences, both good and bad. It also involves being open about their own emotions without blaming the soldier for them. When couples are able to talk honestly and empathetically, they build trust, reduce resentments, and create a foundation for mutual understanding. Partners should avoid making assumptions or jumping to conclusions about what their soldier needs. Instead, they should ask questions and seek clarification when necessary.
Another way partners can support relational stability is by engaging in regular physical touch and affection. Physical intimacy helps build connection and fosters emotional closeness.
It is important not to force physical contact if it is unwelcome. Soldiers may need time to process their trauma before initiating sex or intimate acts. Partners should also respect their soldier's boundaries around privacy, rest, sleep, and personal time.
Partners can encourage their soldier to seek professional help if needed. Mental health issues like PTSD, depression, or anxiety can affect emotional responsiveness and relationships. Seeking treatment allows soldiers to get back on track with work, school, family life, and relationships. Partners can provide support by attending therapy sessions or simply providing encouragement. They can also connect their soldier with veterans groups or other resources that offer peer-to-peer support.
Partners can maintain realistic expectations of themselves and their relationship. Deployment can lead to changes in the relationship dynamic. Expectations that predate deployment may no longer be appropriate. Partners should be open to exploring new roles within the relationship and adapting as needed. This could include taking on more household chores, spending less time together, or seeking activities outside the home. By being flexible, partners can create a stable environment for both individuals to thrive.
Partners play an essential role in supporting relational stability during post-deployment transitions. By creating a safe space for communication, engaging in physical touch, encouraging professional assistance, and maintaining realistic expectations, partners can build resilience and connection. These strategies will promote healing for the entire family unit, helping everyone adjust to life after deployment.
How do partners support relational stability when soldiers' emotional responsiveness is inconsistent post-deployment?
Partners play an important role in maintaining relational stability when their soldier's emotional responses are unpredictable following deployment. Researchers suggest that partners can create healthy boundaries, be empathetic and understanding towards their loved ones, offer emotional support when needed, and respect each other's privacy and space. By doing so, they promote positive communication between them, which enhances relational stability.