Relational empathy refers to the ability to understand and share another person's feelings and experiences. It is a fundamental aspect of healthy and sustainable romantic relationships, as it allows partners to connect and support each other through difficult times. Empathic understanding helps to create an emotional bond between partners that can act as a protective factor against external stressors such as work pressures, family conflicts, financial difficulties, and social isolation. In addition, relational empathy also enables military couples to navigate moral dilemmas related to their service, such as ethical decisions regarding warfare or adherence to rules of engagement. By demonstrating empathy towards one another's perspectives and experiences, military spouses can buffer against the negative effects of conflicting beliefs, values, and attitudes that may arise due to differences in military culture and norms.
Military life poses unique challenges for both active duty personnel and their families. The demands of deployment, training, and relocation can place considerable strain on marriages and relationships, and the risk of exposure to violence, trauma, and loss can have long-term psychological impacts.
Military culture often prioritizes loyalty to unit over individual needs, which can lead to tension within intimate relationships. Research has shown that military couples who exhibit greater levels of empathy are more likely to feel supported, understood, and connected to their partner during these challenging times, and less likely to experience conflict or separation.
One study found that military couples who reported higher levels of relational empathy were better able to manage moral dilemmas related to their service.
They could communicate openly about their feelings and concerns without judgment or criticism, leading to more effective problem solving and resolution of disagreements. They were also more likely to support each other's moral choices, even if they differed, by acknowledging the other person's perspective and respecting their values. This helped to create a sense of safety and trust within the relationship, enabling partners to navigate difficult situations together with greater ease and confidence.
Another study showed that military couples who practiced relational empathy were more resilient in the face of stressors such as financial problems, career changes, and health issues. By actively listening to and validating each other's experiences, partners could work through conflicts and challenges together, rather than becoming isolated or withdrawing from each other. This created a stronger emotional bond that allowed them to weather difficult periods of time with greater resilience and coping skills.
Relational empathy is a critical aspect of healthy and sustainable romantic relationships for military couples, providing a buffer against external stressors and helping to navigate moral dilemmas related to service. By cultivating this quality within their relationship, military spouses can build deeper connections, enhance intimacy, and promote overall well-being and stability.
In what ways does relational empathy buffer against stress and moral conflict in military couples?
Relational empathy has been found to be an effective way for military couples to cope with stressors related to deployment, reintegration, and trauma (e. g. , Carmona & Vanderplow, 2017). It allows individuals to understand their partner's experiences and feelings on an intimate level and provides support when needed. This can help reduce the negative effects of stress and moral conflict that arise from being separated during deployment or experiencing combat trauma.