Relationship changes of military couples during reintegration: A longitudinal analysis

Abstract

This study drew on the emotional cycle of deployment model to track the content, valence, and sequence of relationship changes experienced by returning service members and at-home partners during the transition from deployment to reintegration. In a longitudinal study, 555 military couples (1,100 individuals) wrote 7,387 comments describing changes that had occurred in their relationship during the past month. A content analysis identified 10 substantive categories: emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy, spending time together, appraisals of the relationship, life changes, readjustment to daily life, conflict, family changes, commitment, and reports of no change. The frequency of changes reported in emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy, readjustment to daily life, and conflict declined across the transition. In contrast, reports of life changes, and comments stating that no change had occurred, increased over time. Independent coders judged each change as positive (42.1%), negative (32.4%), or neutral (25.5%) in valence. Participants described fewer positive changes as the transition progressed, although this tendency slowed over time. In contrast, the frequency of negative changes remained stable across the transition, and the frequency of neutral changes increased. The findings are used to advance theory, research, policy, and intervention designed to help military couples negotiate relationship changes across the post-deployment transition.

Suspicion about a partner’s deception and trust as roots of relational uncertainty during the post-deployment transition

“…After receiving Institutional Review Board approval, we evaluated our reasoning by collecting online survey data from U.S. military couples once per month for eight consecutive months (for reports from the larger project, see Knobloch, Knobloch-Fedders, & Yorgason, 2018; Knobloch et al, 2019; Knobloch-Fedders et al, 2020). Wave 1 occurred during the first week after homecoming to provide a proximal view of reunion; data collection continued through Wave 8 to stretch beyond the 6-month period traditionally assigned to the post-deployment transition (Pincus et al, 2001).…”

Reintegration of crisis services employees: a systematic literature review

“…, 2016; Knobloch and Theiss, 2011; Thompson and Gignac, 2001). For example, when returning home, the employee must adapt from deployment life to home life, and the partner must adjust from independence to interdependence (Knobloch-Fedders et al. , 2020).…”

“…Nonetheless, the first few weeks home can also be marked by misunderstanding and partner interference, which are associated with reintegration and mental health difficulties during the first three months (Knobloch et al. , 2013; Knobloch-Fedders et al. , 2020).…”

“…Phase 3. After the second phase, there is a decrease in reported challenges of emotional intimacy, support, readjustment to daily life and conflict (Knobloch-Fedders et al. , 2020).…”

“…This recommendation is centred on cognitive relevant outcomes attained by a psycho-information intervention. Still, in informing about coping, practitioners and management need to keep in mind that couples that combine the reintegration process with stressful family changes, like moving out, for example, may deplete their coping resources more quickly (Knobloch-Fedders et al. , 2020).…”