When military personnel are deployed for an extended period of time, it is common for their personal relationships to be affected in ways that can range from minor annoyances to major life changes. One area where this is particularly true is interpersonal conflict, which can escalate quickly when individuals have been away from home for an extended amount of time.
Understanding how these conflicts develop is essential to mitigating them.
The first stage of interpersonal conflict development during prolonged deployments involves the initial disagreement between partners. This may take many forms, but often begins as a difference in opinion about something unrelated to the deployment itself.
One partner might prefer to do household chores while the other prefers to relax after work. As tensions build over time, they may begin to argue more frequently and more intensely.
Arguments can become more frequent and intense, leading to a breakdown in communication.
The second stage of interpersonal conflict development during prolonged deployments is when resentment builds up. During this stage, partners start to blame each other for everything that goes wrong in their lives, including problems caused by the deployment itself. They may also withdraw emotionally from each other, making it harder to resolve issues when they arise. This stage can lead to further deterioration of communication, resulting in even more frequent and intense arguments.
The third stage of interpersonal conflict development during prolonged deployments is when partners begin to look elsewhere for emotional support. This could mean spending more time with friends or family members who are not involved in the deployment. It could also mean seeking out new relationships outside of the marriage or relationship. This is especially common when partners feel like they cannot rely on each other due to the stressors associated with military life.
The final stage of interpersonal conflict development during prolonged deployments is when partners decide to separate or divorce. This decision usually comes after months or years of struggling to make things work, and is often made in response to the perceived lack of progress in resolving conflicts. Partners may choose to end the relationship altogether, or simply agree to live apart until the deployment ends. In either case, the separation can be painful and difficult, but may ultimately be necessary to preserve the health of both individuals.
How do interpersonal conflicts evolve during prolonged deployments?
Interpersonal conflicts are natural human behaviors that can develop during extended deployments for several reasons including physical and mental health factors, cultural adjustment challenges, social isolation, and work stressors. Prolonged deployment has been identified as a significant source of personal strain, which may influence interpersonal relations.