During deployment, military service members often experience stressful events that can have negative effects on their mental health, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Depression. These conditions may cause difficulties for couples who are trying to maintain a close relationship while the member is deployed.
Recent research has found that communication between partners after deployment is also important for understanding how military deployment affects relational satisfaction.
Studies show that PTSD symptoms during deployment are associated with greater distress in marital relationships, while increased communication post-deployment is linked to improved marital quality. This suggests that communication during reintegration plays an essential role in helping military families adapt and recover from deployment-related challenges.
One reason why communication post-deployment is so crucial is because it allows individuals to process the trauma they experienced during deployment and share their experiences with loved ones. When service members return home, they may feel detached from family members who do not understand what happened during their time away. Opening up about these experiences can help reconnect them to their loved ones and promote healing. Communication also helps couples learn about each other's needs and concerns, which can improve intimacy and emotional closeness. In addition, communication provides an opportunity to work through conflict or disagreements that arise due to changes in the household or routine.
Disrupted communication post-deployment can lead to lower levels of relational satisfaction and higher rates of divorce among military families. This could be caused by various factors, including stressors related to deployment itself, such as financial hardship or job loss. Military spouses may also experience feelings of isolation or loneliness when their partner returns home but does not seem like themselves anymore. Poor communication skills, lack of shared interests, or differing perspectives on life goals can further strain relationships after deployment. As a result, it is vital for military couples to prioritize open and honest communication throughout deployment and beyond.
To facilitate healthy communication post-deployment, military families should make time for regular check-ins with each other and engage in activities together that promote bonding. Couples counseling may also provide valuable support and guidance for addressing relationship challenges.
Couples should seek out social support from friends and family members to reduce feelings of isolation and strengthen relationships within the larger community.
Effective communication is essential for creating strong and lasting bonds between service members and their partners, even amidst the challenges of deployment.
What are the consequences of disrupted communication post-deployment on relational satisfaction?
Disruptions in communication after deployment can lead to various negative impacts on relationship satisfaction, including increased feelings of loneliness, distrust, and misunderstanding. One study found that deployed individuals reported higher levels of relationship stress than their non-deployed counterparts, which can strain relationships (Smith et al. , 2018).