Relational Satisfaction Among Deployed Soldiers
There are many reasons why soldiers might feel dissatisfied with their relationships while they're away from home, such as loneliness, boredom, or stress.
One factor that often goes overlooked is the lack of free time for personal connection. This article will explore how limited access to personal time can impact the quality of relationships between deployed military personnel and their loved ones back home.
One reason why this issue can be so problematic is that it leads to a decrease in physical intimacy between couples. When people are deployed for extended periods of time, they may find themselves engaging in less frequent physical contact with their partners due to distance, busy schedules, and other obligations.
The demands of military service may make it difficult for soldiers to prioritize romance and sexual activity when there are other responsibilities to attend to. As a result, both parties may begin to feel disconnected emotionally and physically, which can lead to tension and frustration.
Another challenge posed by limited access to personal time is the difficulty of maintaining emotional closeness without being able to talk face-to-face. Emails, texts, and phone calls simply aren't enough to replace the sense of presence and intimacy that comes from spending time together in person. It becomes harder for individuals to fully understand each other's thoughts, feelings, and experiences, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunication.
This can cause resentment and mistrust, damaging the foundation of the relationship.
On top of these challenges, deployed soldiers may also struggle with self-esteem issues related to their ability to provide for their partner while away. They may worry about missing important events or not having enough money to support their family, causing stress and anxiety that further strains communication. And finally, there is the psychological impact of separation itself; when two individuals are separated for long periods of time, they miss out on shared memories and moments that help keep them connected as individuals and as a couple. This creates a gap in their history together, making it harder to reconnect once they are reunited.
Despite all these difficulties, many couples find ways to navigate these obstacles and remain strong in their relationships. Some rely on technology like video chat or virtual reality to bridge the distance between them, while others try to make the most of short visits home.
What matters most is finding creative solutions that work for both parties and prioritizing communication whenever possible. With effort and compromise, even those who experience limited access to personal time can maintain healthy, fulfilling relationships.
How does limited access to personal time affect relational satisfaction among deployed soldiers?
Personal time refers to the time an individual spends with friends, family, or partners and is crucial for relationship building and development (Davis et al. , 2017). Deployment of military personnel leads to limited access to personal time due to long working hours, training schedules, physical separation from loved ones, and stressful situations (Chenoweth & Owen, 2020).