Abstract
An examination of how members of military marriages were affected by and adapted to OIF/OEF deployment found three themes:
communicating to stay connected, emotional and marital intimacy, and managing change. The findings demonstrate the nuanced
and subtle nature of deployment-related challenges. While open and frequent communication was important in the adaptation
process, communication was not synonymous with transparency. Unshared stories created a void that prevented couples from confiding
in and supporting their partners. Although wives maintained their marriages by restraining sexual desires and over-extending
their responsibilities post-deployment, these behaviors had a negative effect on marital quality. Clinical and research implications
are discussed.
communicating to stay connected, emotional and marital intimacy, and managing change. The findings demonstrate the nuanced
and subtle nature of deployment-related challenges. While open and frequent communication was important in the adaptation
process, communication was not synonymous with transparency. Unshared stories created a void that prevented couples from confiding
in and supporting their partners. Although wives maintained their marriages by restraining sexual desires and over-extending
their responsibilities post-deployment, these behaviors had a negative effect on marital quality. Clinical and research implications
are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-011-9162-6
- Authors
- Joyce A. Baptist, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Yvonne Amanor-Boadu, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Kevin Garrett, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Briana S. Nelson Goff, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Jonathan Collum, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Paulicia Gamble, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Holly Gurss, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Erin Sanders-Hahs, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Lizette Strader, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Stephanie Wick, School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, 302 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764