Most people have experienced the feeling of being homesick when they are away from their loved ones for extended periods of time.
Military personnel experience this feeling on a whole different level due to their unique line of work. Military couples often face separation due to frequent and lengthy deployments that can last months or even years. This can put a strain on their relationships, leading to feelings of anxiety, stress, and loneliness. One way to combat these negative effects is through rotational deployment, which involves alternating between home and duty stations. While this may seem like an effective solution, it also comes with its own set of challenges. In this article, we will explore how rotational deployments impact attachment security, trust, and emotional closeness in military couples.
Attachment Security
Attachment security refers to the sense of safety and comfort that one feels within a relationship. It involves feeling confident that your partner will be there for you, no matter what. When deployed, military couples must rely heavily on communication technology to maintain strong attachment security, such as phone calls, video chats, and emails.
These methods of communication cannot replace physical contact or intimacy. As a result, military couples may feel disconnected and anxious during deployments, leading to a breakdown in attachment security.
The unpredictable nature of deployments can make it difficult for military couples to plan ahead and establish routines together. This can further diminish their attachment security.
Trust
Trust is another important aspect of any relationship, but especially crucial in military couples. Deployments can create a power imbalance where one person has control over the other's safety and well-being. The fear of something happening to their loved one while they are away can cause significant distress for military spouses. They may become suspicious of their partners' actions, question their commitment, and worry about their loyalty. These feelings can erode trust and lead to mistrust.
Deployment can put strain on the couple's financial situation if one partner is left behind to care for children or handle household responsibilities alone. This can also affect trust levels.
Emotional Closeness
Deployments can impact emotional closeness between military couples. Physical separation can create distance between partners, making it harder to connect emotionally. Without regular physical interactions, it becomes more challenging to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with each other. Military couples must rely heavily on technology to maintain emotional closeness, which can be frustrating and unsatisfying. This lack of intimacy can lead to feelings of resentment and alienation, further weakening the bond between them. In addition, constant deployments can lead to burnout and fatigue, making it hard for both partners to maintain emotional energy and attention.
Rotational deployments can have a significant impact on military couples' attachment security, trust, and emotional closeness. While this arrangement provides some benefits, such as stability and routine, it also poses many challenges that can harm relationships. To combat these negative effects, military couples need to prioritize communication, trust-building activities, and emotional connection when apart. With effort and dedication, they can maintain strong bonds despite the obstacles of frequent deployments.
How do rotational deployments impact attachment security, trust, and emotional closeness in military couples?
Military families experience unique challenges due to the rotational nature of their lifestyle. When one spouse is away for extended periods of time on deployment, it can have an effect on attachment security, trust, and emotional closeness in the relationship. Attachment theory suggests that secure attachment between partners is crucial for establishing trust and intimacy (Bowlby, 1969).