Military service is one of the most demanding occupations out there, and it comes with its own set of challenges that can affect both personal and professional lives. One of those challenges is the constant threat of deployment which can be emotionally taxing for everyone involved, but especially so for spouses and partners left behind. Anticipating redeployment can put immense pressure on relationships and cause significant distress to both parties. How does this impact emotional resilience and intimacy within military couples?
According to research studies conducted among active duty soldiers and their families, being apart during deployments has been found to have negative effects on relationship satisfaction, communication, trust, commitment, and even physical intimacy. This may come as no surprise given that military couples are often forced to spend extended periods of time away from each other due to operational requirements.
What remains unclear is how anticipation of redeployment influences these factors before the actual separation occurs.
Anticipation of redeployment can have several negative effects on intimacy between military couples.
Couples may start avoiding discussions about future plans or conversations about family goals and dreams, which can lead to a lack of connection and closeness.
Spouses may feel anxious and insecure about the uncertainty surrounding when and where their partner will be deployed next, leading them to become more protective over their loved ones and less open to expressing affection.
It can make planning for the future difficult since it's hard to know exactly what might happen when one or both partners are deployed again in the near future. All these issues can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation, further reducing intimacy levels within the relationship.
Anticipation of redeployment can also reduce emotional resilience among military couples. Military life already comes with its own set of stressors such as frequent moves, financial worries, deployment separations, and high expectations for performance under pressure. The constant fear of an upcoming redeployment adds another layer of anxiety onto this already challenging situation. It's not uncommon for couples to experience increased conflict during this period as they try to cope with the added strain on their relationship. This can result in a breakdown in communication and trust between partners, making it harder for them to support each other emotionally through times of crisis.
There are ways that military couples can prepare themselves for potential deployments and maintain strong relationships despite the anticipation of redeployment. One way is by focusing on building emotional resilience through activities like journaling, meditation, yoga, therapy, or exercise. Doing so helps individuals develop coping skills to manage their emotions better and reduces the chances of falling into depression or anxiety. Couples should also work together to create a plan for how they will stay connected while apart and discuss topics openly without judgment or blame.
Having regular check-ins with each other about current needs and desires can help keep the connection alive even if physically separated.
Anticipating redeployment has a significant impact on emotional resilience and intimacy within military couples. The constant worry and uncertainty associated with future deployments can cause tension, frustration, and isolation that make it hard to maintain healthy relationships.
There are things that both partners can do to strengthen their bond before, during, and after deployments, such as working on emotional resilience, communicating openly about feelings, and creating a plan for staying connected while apart. By doing so, military couples can ensure that their relationship stays strong even in the face of frequent separations.
How does the anticipation of redeployment influence emotional resilience and intimacy within military couples?
The anticipation of redeployment can have a significant impact on both emotional resilience and intimacy within military couples. When one partner is preparing for deployment, it often leads to increased levels of stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect their emotional wellbeing and resilience. This can manifest as feelings of fear, worry, and sadness, which can further strain the relationship and make communication more difficult.