How to distinguish between temporary coping relationships and long-term commitment for soldiers can be difficult due to various factors such as lack of time and resources, intense physical and emotional stress, and exposure to traumatic experiences. Here are some ways that soldiers may evaluate their romantic involvements:
1. Time spent together: If you have been seeing each other for a while and feel like you know one another well, then it is likely that your relationship has moved beyond just a coping mechanism. Long-term relationships involve spending significant amounts of time together, getting to know each other's likes and dislikes, sharing life experiences, and forming bonds based on trust and mutual respect. Coping relationships usually do not involve these activities because they are often short-lived and focus on immediate needs rather than building something more meaningful.
2. Emotional investment: Soldiers who are committed to a partner will invest emotionally and financially into the relationship, making plans for the future and prioritizing the person in their lives. They will open up about their feelings and vulnerabilities without fear of rejection or judgment. Coping relationships, however, tend to be superficial and focus on gratifying sexual desires with little consideration for deeper connection.
3. Life goals: Soldiers who see themselves building a future with someone often share similar interests, values, and goals. This helps create a strong foundation for a lasting partnership where both parties can support and encourage each other towards common objectives. On the other hand, coping relationships tend to be based on temporary solutions to a problem at hand, leading to eventual breakup as soon as the issue is resolved.
4. Level of commitment: Do you see yourself committing long term? Does this person make you want to change certain aspects of your lifestyle or outlook? Are you willing to compromise and work through difficulties? If so, then it may be worth exploring the possibility of a long-term relationship.
If you find yourself constantly avoiding important conversations or feeling uneasy about the future, then it might be time to reevaluate whether this is just a coping mechanism.
5. Communication: Open communication is key in any relationship. Healthy long-term relationships involve honestly expressing thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs while listening actively to your partner's responses. Coping relationships lack this level of intimacy due to the lack of trust and emotional safety required for such exchanges. Soldiers should consider how much they feel comfortable opening up emotionally to determine which type of relationship best suits them.
6. Dependability: A reliable partner will provide stability during challenging times and remain committed when things get tough. Long-term relationships require consistency and commitment, even when life gets messy. Coping relationships are often short-lived because their main purpose is to provide comfort and distraction from daily stressors rather than a sustainable foundation.
How do soldiers differentiate between temporary coping relationships and long-term commitment?
Soldiers can form both types of relationships - temporary coping and long-term commitments. The difference lies in how they perceive their relationship with others and whether they are willing to invest time, effort, energy, resources into it over an extended period of time. A coping relationship may be seen as something that provides comfort during difficult times but doesn't require much more than superficial communication or occasional interaction.