Soldiers who serve multiple tours abroad can be deployed for up to eighteen months per tour and may face numerous combat situations while serving their country. This can significantly affect their mental health, particularly when it comes to forming attachments and intimate relationships with their partners back home. The stressors associated with being away from one's partner during deployment are well-documented; however, the impact of repeated deployments on intimacy has received less attention. This article will explore how military couples experience attachment and intimacy over time and how this is affected by repeated deployments.
Attachment refers to an emotional bond between individuals that provides a sense of security and safety. Intimacy involves sharing personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with another person. Military couples face unique challenges related to attachment and intimacy due to the nature of their work. Deployment separations create uncertainty about one's ability to stay connected and secure in the relationship, leading to increased anxiety and fear of abandonment. This is known as "separation anxiety," which can lead to a range of negative effects on the relationship, such as decreased trust, communication, and commitment.
Military couples may develop strategies to cope with separation anxiety, such as keeping in touch through phone calls or emails, maintaining routines at home, or relying on support networks.
These strategies may not fully address the underlying psychological mechanisms of attachment and intimacy. Repeated deployments can also create a cycle of distrust and mistrust, where each partner becomes more distant and guarded over time, further damaging the relationship.
The psychological mechanisms involved in attachment and intimacy include various processes such as mirror neurons, oxytocin release, and affect regulation. Mirror neurons are responsible for empathy and understanding others' emotions, while oxytocin releases when we feel close to someone and promotes bonding. Affect regulation involves managing our emotions effectively, allowing us to express ourselves without becoming overwhelmed by them.
Repeated deployments can disrupt these mechanisms, creating difficulties in forming strong attachments and experiencing closeness with partners. Soldiers returning from deployment may struggle to connect with their partners, feeling disconnected and detached from their everyday lives back home. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression, making it difficult to form new relationships or experience intimacy. Partners may also feel anxious about the soldier's return and worry about the impact of previous traumatic experiences on their relationship.
There are ways that military couples can work together to improve their attachment and intimacy despite repeated deployments. One way is to prioritize communication, which helps reduce uncertainty and foster trust. Another way is to engage in activities that promote connection, such as shared hobbies, date nights, or physical touch. Military spouses can also seek support groups or therapy to address issues related to attachment and intimacy.
The psychological mechanisms underlying attachment and intimacy play a crucial role in military couples' relationships. Repeated deployments can create challenges to these processes, leading to decreased attachment and intimacy. Still, there are strategies that can help military couples strengthen their bonds and overcome these challenges.
How does experiencing repeated deployments influence the psychological mechanisms of attachment and intimacy in military couples over time?
The experience of multiple deployments can affect the psychological processes involved in establishing and maintaining close relationships in several ways. One way is by increasing feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear related to separation from loved ones, which can lead to increased levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance. This can result in difficulties with trust, intimacy, communication, and conflict resolution within relationships, as well as changes in how individuals view themselves and their partners.