The experience of deployment has been shown to have significant effects on individuals' mental health, particularly their relationship functioning. This is supported by research showing that military couples report more distress than civilian couples during times of separation, and that deployment length can be associated with increased risk for marital dissatisfaction.
Service members who have experienced multiple deployments are more likely to report negative perceptions of their partner's support and less trust in their relationship after reunion compared to those without such experiences. The current study sought to examine how patterns of attachment security and affect regulation may contribute to the relationship outcomes observed among couples experiencing frequent separations due to deployments.
The study used an online survey with a sample of active duty military personnel (N 105) and their partners (N 98), all of whom had been married for at least three years prior to the first deployment and were currently experiencing or recently returning from deployment. Participants completed measures assessing their attachment style, perceived partner support, relationship satisfaction, and perceived intimacy. They also reported on their experiences with previous deployments and the number of children they had together. Analyses revealed that securely attached individuals were significantly more satisfied with their relationships following a period of separation compared to their insecure counterparts. In addition, securely attached individuals who had experienced repeated separations reported greater satisfaction with their relationship than their insecure counterparts did. These findings suggest that secure attachment may serve as a protective factor against the negative impacts of repeated deployments on romantic relationships.
Analyses indicated that the frequency of deployment did not moderate the association between secure attachment and relationship satisfaction. This suggests that even when service members are exposed to high levels of stress and uncertainty related to deployment, secure attachment can help maintain healthy relationship functioning.
Insecurely attached individuals appeared to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of multiple deployments, reporting lower levels of trust in their partner's support after reunion and less positive perceptions of their partner's ability to meet their emotional needs. The results underscore the importance of addressing attachment security as a potential risk factor for negative outcomes among couples facing frequent separations due to deployments.
This study provides new insights into how patterns of attachment security and affect regulation shape romantic relationships during times of deployment-related stress. Secure attachment appears to buffer the negative impacts of separation on relationship satisfaction, while insecure attachment is associated with increased distress and lower relationship quality. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions aimed at supporting military couples experiencing repeated separations and helping them build secure attachment bonds with one another.
How do repeated deployments shape patterns of attachment and affective regulation in long-term romantic partnerships?
The effects of repeated deployments on patterns of attachment and affective regulation in long-term romantic partnerships are complex and multifaceted. Research has shown that military service members who experience multiple deployments may develop feelings of isolation and disconnection from their partner, leading to difficulties with communication, trust, and intimacy (Ziv et al. , 2017).