Couples facing imminent redeployment often experience a range of intense emotions that can significantly impact their personal lives and relationships. One common factor is the anticipation of separation, which can lead to a variety of coping strategies designed to maintain intimacy and connection during the time apart. This paper will examine how anticipation of redeployment shapes the emotional strategies employed by couples in order to cope with this challenging circumstance.
Anticipatory Stress
The prospect of separation due to military deployment can cause stress in multiple ways, including financial worries, changes in lifestyle, and feelings of abandonment. This stress can manifest itself physically and mentally, causing symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety, and depression. In addition, it may trigger negative thoughts about the future, such as fear of being forgotten or neglected while away from home.
Emotional Responses
To cope with these stresses, couples may develop various emotional responses. Some may turn inward and become more introspective, reflecting on their relationship and what they value most within it. Others may seek support from friends, family members, or professionals. Still others may engage in activities that help them feel connected to one another even when separated, such as writing letters, video chats, and phone calls.
Intimacy Preservation
One crucial strategy employed by many couples facing imminent redeployment is to preserve intimacy. This includes physical intimacy through sexual activity and other forms of affection, as well as emotional intimacy through communication, shared experiences, and mutual understanding. Couples may also work to maintain rituals and routines, such as regular date nights or weekly check-ins, that keep them feeling connected despite distance.
Facing Uncertainty
Another common challenge faced by couples during redeployment anticipation is uncertainty regarding how long they will be apart and when reunification will occur. This can cause additional stress and anxiety, leading some partners to withdraw emotionally or avoid discussing the topic altogether. Others may try to control the situation by setting specific goals for contact frequency or creating a detailed plan for how to handle various scenarios. These strategies can help ease feelings of helplessness and increase confidence in managing the deployment process.
Coping Differently
It's important to note that individuals within a couple may cope differently with these challenges, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
One partner may prefer to focus on preserving intimacy while the other prioritizes communication, which could create tension if not addressed constructively.
Different military branches or levels of command may have varying expectations around deployment schedules, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
How does the anticipation of redeployment affect the emotional strategies employed by couples?
The anticipation of redeployment can have significant effects on the emotional strategies employed by couples. Deployment is an emotionally challenging experience for military spouses who are left behind during their partner's absence, as they may feel isolated, anxious, and uncertain about the future. As the deployment draws nearer, couples may engage in various coping mechanisms to manage these feelings.