The cumulative effect of deployments can be taxing on both physical and mental health. Soldiers experience emotional fatigue over time due to prolonged separation from their loved ones, adjustment to new cultures, and exposure to traumatic events. This study investigated how soldiers cope with this fatigue and how they make sense of it through the lens of narrative identity theory. Narrative identity theory posits that individuals construct meaning about themselves based on stories they tell about their lives. The study involved interviews with 10 soldiers who had been deployed multiple times.
Narrative identity theory suggests that individuals create meaning by telling stories about their experiences. Soldiers who participated in the study reported feeling emotionally exhausted after each deployment cycle. They described feeling disconnected from their families, friends, and communities, leading them to question their place in society.
Soldiers also said that these feelings were temporary and that they eventually found ways to reconnect with loved ones and return to normal life. Some soldiers attributed their fatigue to the stress of combat or cultural differences between home and abroad. Others spoke about the challenges of readjusting to civilian life after a deployment. In general, soldiers' narratives focused on resilience and strength, emphasizing that they were able to overcome the obstacles presented by deployment cycles.
Another soldier, Jane Smith, discussed her relationship with her partner during deployments. She said that she struggled to maintain intimacy while apart but that her partner understood her need for space. She also spoke about how the military community helped her cope with emotional fatigue through shared experiences and camaraderie. "Being around other soldiers made me feel less alone," she said, "even though we all went through similar things."
Soldiers expressed a sense of pride in their service and a willingness to endure multiple deployments. They described how they coped with emotional fatigue by creating stories that highlighted their strength and perseverance. These narratives served as an important source of meaning-making and motivated them to continue serving their country.
This study provides insight into how soldiers make meaning of emotional fatigue over time. The use of narrative identity theory suggests that individuals create meaning through storytelling and that this process is influenced by social and cultural factors. By telling stories about their experiences, soldiers were able to maintain a positive self-image and persist in the face of challenges. Understanding these processes can inform interventions aimed at supporting service members' mental health throughout their careers.
How do service members make meaning of emotional fatigue that accumulates over multiple deployment cycles?
Service members often report experiencing emotional fatigue during their deployments due to the stressful circumstances they face on a daily basis, such as witnessing traumatic events, feeling isolated from family and friends back home, and coping with physical and mental exhaustion. Over time, these experiences can take a toll on individuals' emotional wellbeing, leading to feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and disconnection from loved ones.