When it comes to maintaining relational continuity between partners, military couples face unique challenges that civilians cannot relate to. Soldiers experience moral, ethical, and traumatic stressors which often lead them to have intense emotions that can be hard for their loved ones to handle. These stressors include combat experiences, deployment separation from their families, injuries sustained while serving, death of fellow soldiers, and post-traumatic stress disorder. When these situations arise, soldiers' emotional states fluctuate rapidly, causing their partner to feel confused and helpless. To deal with this issue, partners need to follow specific guidelines that will help them understand what their soldier is going through and how they can best support them.
Partners should learn about the symptoms of moral, ethical, and traumatic stress disorders. This will help them recognize when their soldier is experiencing a flare-up of those conditions. Moral injury refers to a betrayal of one's core values or beliefs, such as when soldiers witness atrocities or make difficult decisions in war zones. Ethical stress occurs when soldiers question their actions or whether they were justified. Traumatic stress is caused by exposure to extreme events like combat, sexual assault, or natural disasters. By understanding these conditions, partners can identify when their soldier needs extra support.
Partners must communicate openly and honestly. If soldiers are unable to express themselves verbally, they may become angry or shut down emotionally. Open communication allows them to share their feelings without fear of judgment and helps maintain a positive connection between the couple. Partners should also encourage their soldier to seek professional help if needed.
Partners should practice active listening skills when their soldier is talking about their experiences. Active listening involves fully engaging with your partner and making sure you hear and understand everything they say. It requires focus and patience, but it shows that you care deeply about them and value their thoughts and opinions.
Partners should show empathy towards their soldiers' struggles. Empathy means feeling compassion for someone else's suffering and putting yourself in their shoes. Soldiers need to feel supported and understood during times of emotional turmoil, so partners should try to imagine what they are going through and offer words of encouragement and reassurance.
By following these guidelines, military couples can maintain relational continuity even when soldiers experience moral, ethical, or traumatic stressors. With time and effort, couples can learn to navigate these challenging situations together and emerge stronger than ever before.
How do partners maintain relational continuity when soldiers' emotional states fluctuate due to moral, ethical, or traumatic stressors?
The maintenance of relational continuity between partners is crucial for military families during times of war, especially when soldiers' emotions are affected by moral, ethical, and traumatic stressors. When soldiers experience moral, ethical, and traumatic stressors, they may withdraw from their relationships with their partners and distance themselves emotionally. This can lead to feelings of disconnection, loneliness, and a lack of intimacy.