The impact of deployments can be devastating for any couple, but it is especially challenging for same-sex couples who are often still navigating societal norms and legal barriers to their relationship. Military couples may experience increased stress during deployment due to separation from their partner, which can lead to decreased trust, intimacy, and emotional connection between partners.
Research has shown that several coping strategies can help sustain relational intimacy, trust, and satisfaction for LGBT military couples during deployment.
Communication
Communication is key in any healthy relationship, and this is especially true during deployment. Frequent communication can help reassure both partners that they are still connected emotionally even though physically apart. This includes regular phone calls, emails, text messages, and video chats. It is essential to set aside time each day or week specifically for connecting with your partner.
Couples should discuss expectations before deployment regarding how much and what kind of communication they will have while separated.
Some couples find it helpful to set up a schedule of when they will talk or write so that both partners know when to expect updates.
Trust
Building and maintaining trust is also crucial in any relationship, but it becomes even more important during deployment. This involves being honest about feelings, thoughts, and experiences and respecting boundaries. Couples must be open and vulnerable with one another, sharing their fears and anxieties without judgment. They should also acknowledge the sacrifices made by both partners during deployment and support one another through difficult times.
Support Network
Having a strong support network outside of the couple can also help sustain relational intimacy, trust, and satisfaction during deployments. Friends, family members, and coworkers can provide emotional support, practical assistance, and social interaction when partners cannot be together. It may involve asking for help with childcare, housework, or simply having someone to talk to who understands the unique challenges of military life.
LGBT military couples face significant challenges during deployments due to societal norms and legal barriers that make their relationships less visible and accepted.
Several coping strategies can help them sustain relational intimacy, trust, and satisfaction despite these obstacles. By communicating frequently, building trust, and seeking support from friends, family, and coworkers, LGBT military couples can navigate this difficult time while keeping their connection strong.
Which coping strategies most effectively sustain relational intimacy, trust, and satisfaction in LGBT military couples?
The coping strategies that are most effective for LGBT military couples include communication, compromise, respect, mutual understanding, openness, and honesty. These strategies can be used to sustain intimacy, trust, and satisfaction within the relationship. Communication is essential for any healthy relationship, including those between LGBT military couples.