Partner Support Contributes To Resilience, Stress Management And Relational Stability During Deployment
Deployment can be an incredibly challenging time for military families. It is often associated with significant changes to family dynamics, emotional distress, and social isolation. For many couples, deployment may also involve financial strain, job insecurity, and physical separation. This combination of factors has been linked to increased risk of divorce, mental health problems, and substance abuse. In light of these risks, it is important that couples develop resilience skills before, during, and after deployment. One such skill is partner support, which refers to the ways in which partners provide each other with practical and emotional assistance during times of stress. Partner support is particularly important during deployment because it can mitigate the negative effects of prolonged absence, combat exposure, and lifestyle adjustment.
Research shows that partner support plays a critical role in helping individuals cope with deployment stressors.
Studies have found that couples who report high levels of partner support experience less relationship conflict, lower rates of depression, and improved marital satisfaction than those who do not receive adequate support. Partners who are emotionally and practically supported by their spouse or partner also tend to experience greater resilience and coping efficacy. This means they are better able to manage daily stresses without becoming overwhelmed or resorting to unhealthy behaviors. When deployed spouses feel well-supported, they are more likely to stay connected to their loved ones back home, maintain positive attitudes towards their deployment, and return home successfully. On the flip side, when military families lack adequate support, they may become isolated from one another, struggle with communication difficulties, and experience more intense symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Partner support during deployment can take many forms. It may involve regular phone calls, video chats, letters, emails, text messages, care packages, and social media interactions. In some cases, it may include financial planning, childcare arrangements, and household management tasks.
Partner support should be tailored to the needs and preferences of each individual couple. One way to ensure success is to establish clear communication channels before deployment begins. Couples should discuss how they will stay connected while apart and what type of assistance they need from one another. They should also agree on mutual expectations for emotional availability, listening, and feedback.
When providing partner support during deployment, it is important to avoid overpromising and underdelivering. Military spouses must remember that they have their own stressors to contend with as well, such as parenting alone, managing finances, and navigating new responsibilities at work or school. Spouses should not put excessive pressure on themselves to be perfect providers, but rather focus on being present, empathetic, and reliable. Similarly, partners should avoid taking on too much responsibility for their deployed spouse's mental health and wellbeing. Instead, they should offer encouragement, validation, and gentle guidance when necessary.
Partner support is a critical factor in resilience, stress management, and relational stability during military deployment. By understanding the importance of this skill set, couples can prepare themselves for the unique challenges of separation and work together to build stronger relationships. When seeking help, individuals should consider reaching out to trusted family members, friends, counselors, or other military spouses who have experienced similar challenges.
In what ways does partner support contribute to resilience, stress management, and relational stability during deployment?
Partner support has been shown to contribute significantly to resilience, stress management, and relational stability during deployment among deployed military personnel (Siegal et al. , 2019). This is because partner support provides an important sense of belongingness, social connection, and emotional intimacy that can help individuals cope with separation anxiety, loneliness, and depression associated with deployment (King & King, 2014; Singer et al.