Post-Deployment Adjustment for Soldiers
When military personnel return home after deployment, they often face significant challenges related to readjusting to civilian life. This can include experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, family issues, financial problems, and difficulty finding employment. These challenges can take a toll on their mental health and relationships, including those with partners who have supported them throughout the deployment process. Partners may feel helpless, confused, and unsure how to support their loved ones without sacrificing their own emotional needs.
Through open communication and negotiation, partners can find ways to navigate these challenges together. In this article, we will explore how partners can negotiate their own emotional needs while supporting soldiers undergoing post-deployment adjustment.
Negotiating Emotional Needs as a Couple
One key aspect of negotiating emotional needs is understanding that each person has different experiences and expectations. Partners need to communicate their feelings openly and honestly in order to build trust and empathy. This involves actively listening to one another's perspectives and trying to understand where they are coming from.
If one partner feels neglected due to the soldier's absence during deployment, they should express their frustration and work towards creating a solution that meets both of their needs. Similarly, if the soldier struggles with PTSD or other mental health issues, their partner must be patient and compassionate, but also assertive in seeking help for themselves and their relationship.
Another important factor is setting boundaries. This means establishing clear limits on what is acceptable behavior within the relationship and sticking to them.
One partner may want more physical intimacy than the other after deployment, but it is crucial not to pressure the other into doing something they don't feel comfortable with. Instead, couples should discuss their desires and explore alternatives that meet everyone's needs. If necessary, outside support such as therapy or counseling can provide additional resources and guidance.
Practical Tips for Successful Communication
Effective communication requires active listening, clear language, and compromise. To ensure successful communication, partners should:
* Avoid blaming or criticizing each other - instead, focus on the issue at hand.
* Use "I" statements rather than "you" statements when describing feelings (e.g., "I feel hurt when you ignore me")
* Ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding
* Stay calm and respectful even when disagreeing
* Take breaks when needed
Seeking Professional Help
If post-deployment adjustment issues continue to affect the relationship over time, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can be very beneficial. A trained mental health professional can provide objective advice and strategies for navigating these challenges. They can also offer guidance on how to communicate effectively and negotiate emotional needs within the couple dynamic.
Support groups can provide an opportunity to connect with others who understand the unique struggles of military life and can offer insights and encouragement.
Supporting a soldier through post-deployment adjustment involves balancing multiple factors, including one's own emotional needs. Through open communication, setting boundaries, and seeking professional assistance when needed, partners can successfully navigate this process together and emerge stronger than ever before. By taking the time to listen to one another and negotiate their expectations, couples can build a stronger foundation for their future relationships.
How do partners negotiate their own emotional needs while supporting soldiers undergoing post-deployment adjustment?
The research on the topic shows that partners of returning soldiers often experience difficulty understanding and expressing their feelings about the changed family dynamics, which can lead to negative emotions such as frustration, anxiety, loneliness, resentment, depression, and anger (Kamimura, 2016). These emotions are often triggered by the soldier's changed behavioral patterns, communication difficulties, and lack of intimacy (Watkins et al.