Soldiers must establish and maintain trust between themselves and their partners before deployment. This means being open about expectations for emotional support during separation and communication strategies.
Trust Building
Soldiers can build trust by demonstrating reliability and consistency in their actions. They need to act in accordance with what they say they will do and follow through on commitments.
Sharing personal thoughts and feelings helps create an environment where both parties feel comfortable being honest with each other. It is also important to be clear and consistent when discussing boundaries, especially regarding physical touch and intimacy. Clear communication is essential for building and maintaining trust.
Anxiety Management
Partners may experience anxiety related to deployment due to fear of loss or trauma from past experiences. Soldiers should validate these feelings, listen empathetically without judgment, and offer practical solutions like distraction techniques or positive affirmations. It's crucial that soldiers are available for their partner during this time but not intrusive or controlling. Encourage them to seek professional help if necessary.
Secondary Trauma Support
Secondary trauma occurs when someone witnesses or hears about traumatic events that cause psychological distress. When partners experience secondary trauma, it's essential for soldiers to provide support by validating their emotions, listening attentively without judgment, and offering comfort and reassurance. They should avoid over-sharing information about deployment to minimize potential triggers. If the partner needs additional support, suggest a mental health professional trained in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Relational Security
Relational security refers to the level of safety and stability within a relationship. To achieve relational security, soldiers must prioritize spending quality time together when possible, show appreciation for their partner, practice gratitude daily, and demonstrate commitment through actions rather than words alone.
Setting aside time for self-care can prevent burnout and improve overall well-being which enhances relational security.
Building trust, managing anxiety, and supporting secondary trauma all contribute to creating an environment where relationships flourish despite deployment separations. By focusing on these areas, soldiers can maintain healthy communication patterns even in challenging circumstances.
How do soldiers maintain trust and relational security when partners experience anxiety or secondary trauma due to deployment?
Trust is an essential part of any healthy relationship, especially for couples that have been together for some time. While there are many factors that can affect this trust, one common issue for military couples is anxiety or secondary trauma caused by deployments. This type of stress can create uncertainty and mistrust between partners, making it difficult to maintain healthy relationships during times of separation.