When it comes to dealing with stressful situations, humans have an innate need for connection and closeness. This is especially true when facing prolonged separations such as military deployments.
Finding ways to maintain that connection can be challenging for both partners involved. Fortunately, there are certain strategies that couples can employ to stay close even when apart - one of which is intimacy. In this article, we will explore how intimate connections during deployment can improve adaptive coping mechanisms and help couples better manage their emotions and behaviors.
One way intimacy can improve adaptive coping mechanisms is through increased communication. When spouses communicate regularly and openly about their feelings, they can develop a deeper understanding of each other's needs and desires. This understanding leads to more empathy and compassion, which helps them navigate difficult situations together.
Intimacy allows partners to share their fears and concerns without judgment or shame. By creating a safe space where both parties feel heard and understood, they are able to process those feelings in healthy ways.
Another benefit of intimacy during deployment is increased trust between partners. Trust is essential for building strong relationships, but it can be particularly important when one partner is away for extended periods of time. Without regular physical contact, it's easy for doubts and insecurities to creep into the relationship.
By maintaining a sense of intimacy, partners can build confidence in each other's loyalty and commitment. They can also establish clear boundaries around what is acceptable behavior while separated.
Intimacy can also help reduce stress levels associated with deployment. When partners feel connected and supported, they are less likely to experience anxiety or depression related to separation. This is because they have someone to turn to for comfort and support when things get tough.
Intimacy provides an outlet for positive emotions such as happiness and joy, which can be lacking in military life. Couples who prioritize intimacy are better equipped to manage the highs and lows that come with deployment.
Intimacy can improve overall resilience during times of crisis. Resilience refers to a person's ability to bounce back from adversity or hardship. Couples who prioritize intimacy tend to have higher levels of resilience than those who do not. This is because they have developed skills and coping mechanisms that allow them to handle difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed. By staying close during deployment, couples can build their resilience together and emerge stronger on the other side.
Intimate connections play a crucial role in improving adaptive coping mechanisms during prolonged deployments. Through communication, trust, reduced stress levels, and increased resilience, couples can navigate this challenging time with greater ease and positivity. It's important to remember that maintaining intimacy requires effort and intentionality - but it's worth the investment for the health of both partners.
Can intimacy improve adaptive coping mechanisms during prolonged deployments?
The research literature suggests that military couples can benefit from increased intimacy while their partner is deployed for an extended period of time. One study found that couples who communicated more frequently and had greater trust in each other experienced fewer negative psychological symptoms (e. g. , depression, anxiety) compared with those who had less frequent communication and lower levels of trust.