Communication of military couples during deployment predicting generalized anxiety upon reunion

This study draws on the emotional cycle of deployment model (Pincus, House, Christenson, & Adler, 2001) to consider how the valence of communication between military personnel and at-home partners during deployment predicts their generalized anxiety upon reunion. Online survey data were collected from 555 military couples (N = 1,110 individuals) once per month for 8 consecutive months beginning at homecoming. Dyadic growth curve modeling results indicated that people’s anxiety declined across the transition. For at-home partners, constructive communication during deployment predicted a steeper decline in anxiety over time. For both returning service members and at-home partners, destructive communication during deployment predicted more anxiety upon reunion but a steeper decline in anxiety over time. Results were robust beyond the frequency of communication during deployment and a host of individual, relational, and military variables. These findings advance the emotional cycle of deployment model, highlight the importance of the valence of communication during deployment, and illuminate how the effects of communication during deployment can endure after military couples are reunited

Relational Uncertainty and Dyadic Synchrony within the Interaction of Couples

Relational uncertainty refers to the questions people have about their perceptions of involvement within close relationships. To complement a wealth of research examining the link between relational uncertainty and people’s self-reported communication strategies, we investigate relational uncertainty as a predictor of behavioral sequences within interaction. We draw on both seminal and contemporary theorizing to hypothesize that relational uncertainty impedes dyadic synchrony, or the coordination between partners within interaction. Couples (N = 97) participated in a 5-minute discussion designed to facilitate expressions of intimacy; we coded these interactions using the circumplex-based Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) model. We evaluated whether couples experiencing relational uncertainty exhibit forms of dyadic asynchrony in which self-disclosure and validation are met by a partner’s hostility. Sequential analyses revealed that, after covarying relationship quality, relationship uncertainty was associated with sequences of self-disclosure/hostility among men (H1), and self uncertainty and relationship uncertainty were associated with sequences of validation/hostility among both men and women (H2). Partner uncertainty did not predict dyadic asynchrony in either form. These findings advance scholarship on relational uncertainty by underscoring the importance of sequential exchanges within couple interaction

Military Children’s Difficulty with Reintegration after Deployment: A Relational Turbulence Model Perspective

This study drew on the relational turbulence model to investigate how the interpersonal dynamics of military couples predict parents’ reports of the reintegration difficulty of military children upon homecoming after deployment. Longitudinal data were collected from 118 military couples once per month for 3 consecutive months after reunion. Military couples reported on their depressive symptoms, characteristics of their romantic relationship, and the reintegration difficulty of their oldest child. Results of dyadic growth curve models indicated that the mean levels of parents’ depressive symptoms (H1), relationship uncertainty (H2), and interference from a partner (H3) were positively associated with parents’ reports of military children’s reintegration difficulty. These findings suggest that the relational turbulence model has utility for illuminating the reintegration difficulty of military children during the postdeployment transition

Mental Health Symptoms and The Reintegration Difficulty of Military Couples Following Deployment: A Longitudinal Application of The Relational Turbulence Model

Objective Understanding the factors that predict the reintegration difficulty of military couples during the postdeployment transition has important implications for theory, research, and practice. Building on the logic of the relational turbulence model, this paper evaluates the relationship processes of reunion uncertainty and reintegration interference from a partner as mediators of the connection between people\u27s mental health symptoms and their difficulty with reintegration after deployment. Method Dyadic longitudinal data were collected from 555 US military couples once per month for 8 consecutive months. Results Findings mapped the trajectory of reintegration difficulty and suggested reunion uncertainty and reintegration interference from a partner as mediators of the link between people\u27s depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms and the magnitude of their reintegration difficulty. Conclusion These results highlight relationship processes as a key domain of intervention to preserve the well‐being of military couples during the postdeployment transition

The Role of Relational Uncertainty in Depressive Symptoms and Relationship Quality: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Individuals suffering from depressive symptoms tend to be dissatisfied with their romantic relationships, but information is lacking about the mechanisms that link depressive symptoms to relationship quality. This paper evaluates the role of relational uncertainty via an actor—partner interdependence model. Self-report data from 170 romantic partners (N = 85 dyads) revealed that depressive symptoms exerted actor effects, but not partner effects, on relationship quality and relational uncertainty. Moreover, relational uncertainty exerted actor and partner effects on relationship quality. The association between depressive symptoms and relationship quality was mediated by actor effects of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty for women and self uncertainty for men. The paper concludes by discussing how these findings advance scholarship on both relational uncertainty and depression

Depressive Symptoms and Relational Uncertainty as Predictors of Reassurance-Seeking and Negative Feedback-Seeking in Conversation

Integrative interpersonal theory implies that relational uncertainty may play a role in the reassurance-seeking and negative feedback-seeking behavior of people with depressive symptoms. We sought to extend the theory by (a) documenting how individuals with depressive symptoms communicate under conditions of relational uncertainty, (b) evaluating actor and partner effects, and (c) utilizing observational measures of reassurance-seeking and negative feedback-seeking. Sixty-nine romantic couples engaged in 50 minutes of conversation rated by independent judges. Multilevel modeling results indicated that the depressive symptoms of actors and partners were the primary predictor of an actor\u27s reassurance-seeking, but an actor\u27s relational uncertainty was the primary predictor of an actor\u27s negative feedback-seeking. The findings illuminate the interplay among depressive symptoms, relational uncertainty, and communication

Trajectories of Relational Turbulence and Affectionate Communication Across the Post-Deployment Transition

Affectionate communication may play a key role in how military couples navigate the transition from deployment to reintegration. Informed by relational turbulence theory, this study considered how the trajectory of relational turbulence experienced by military couples over time predicted their verbal and nonverbal expressions of affection. Online self-report data were gathered from 268 U.S. military couples across eight months beginning at homecoming. Relational turbulence increased over time and affectionate communication decreased over time. Also as predicted, the trajectory of increasing relational turbulence corresponded with greater declines in verbal and nonverbal expressions of affection. These results advance relational turbulence theory, illuminate the trajectory of affectionate communication over time, and inform ways to assist military couples upon reunion after deployment

Communication in Online Forums About the Experience and Management of Relational Uncertainty in Military Life

Relational uncertainty is an undeniable aspect of military life, but the literature lacks knowledge about the lived experiences of military couples. We examined how individuals communicate in online forums about relational uncertainty in military life using a grounded theory approach to analyze 1,794 pages of threads. Results demonstrated that posters detected deception and/or recognized change, which led to volatile emotions, and ultimately prompted them to seek help for managing relational uncertainty. Posters dealt with their questions by engaging in self-care, justifying the partner\u27s behavior, postponing action, and doing relationship work. In reply, responders provided emotional support by offering comfort and reframing change. They provided informational support by recommending that posters acknowledge deception, take care of themselves, consider the partner\u27s perspective, defer major changes, and work on the relationship. These findings advance theorizing about relational uncertainty and social support; they also suggest guidelines for helping military couples manage relational uncertainty