Burke, Benjamin

I recently had the privilege of teaching a group of undergraduate students about military family experiences and got to show a heartwarming video of Service members reuniting with their family members. The video was filled with shouts of joy, hugs, and happy tears as loved ones embraced each other after months of separation. Indeed, family reunions after deployments are joyous occasions, and afterwards the family goes through a process called reintegration (i.e., when family members are reunited following deployment). Although many families feel that their relationships improve during reintegration, it can also be a time of great challenges as romantic partners, parents, and children figure out how to navigate life together again. During this time, challenges can become magnified and couples may experience more ups and downs than usual. This is called _relational turbulence._ Relational turbulence is influenced by relationship uncertainty and interference. _Uncertainty_ refers to doubts about the relationship, concerns about partner roles and expectations, and/or questions about how long the relationship may last. _Interference_ is when someone feels like their goals (i.e., or something that they want) are being obstructed by their partner. For example, a newly returning Service member prematurely adopting a role, such as disciplinarian, that the at-home partner has been conducting during the deployment. These experiences can ramp up a short time after reintegration and can cause challenges in the relationships between the couple and parents and children. Couples may experience declines in emotional or sexual intimacy, feel a lack of support from their partners, and have poor communication. Children may experience more difficulties reintegrating their parent into daily life and routines. The difficulties that military families experience may also be exacerbated when a Service member or an at-home parent is dealing with mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder. #### So, what can couples and families do to better manage the challenges of reintegration? 1. First, realize that it is normal for families to stumble during the reintegration phase and become frustrated with reorganizing family routines. Interpreting these challenges as signals of doom for the relationship may contribute to more doubt about the future, which may further complicate the reintegration process. 2. Second, communicate openly and have clear expectations during reintegration. This can include covering topics like which roles will be resumed by the Service member and when those changes will occur, areas of doubt or concerns about the relationship that the couple would like to address, how much about the deployment the Service member wants to share with their family, and any plans to seek support or services. It may be helpful for the Service member to take time to reconnect with their children before adopting or re-adopting authoritative parental roles. 3. Third, recognize that mental health challenges are normal, and seek resources to build a stronger base for the family. Depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder are related to more relational turbulence and reintegration challenges. These challenges are treatable and manageable, especially if addressed with support early in the reintegration period. Consider going to see a counselor as a couple or family to navigate mental health and relational challenges at the same time. Reintegration is a normal part of the military deployment cycle, and it is normal for families to experience emotional highs and lows during this time. Read more about this experience in our [library](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/reachlibrary.jsp) and be sure to seek out any desired resources to successfully manage challenges that arise. ##### References [Knobloch, L. K., Knobloch-Fedders, L. M., & Yorgason, J. B. (2019). Mental health symptoms and the reintegration difficulty of military couples following deployment: A longitudinal application of the relational turbulence model. _Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(4)_, 742-765.](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=523d5c82-faa7-4369-bdcf-142ec9f6be7c&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22734) [Knobloch, L. K., Basinger, E D., & Theiss, J. A. (2018). Relational turbulence and perceptions of partner support during reintegration after military deployment. _Journal of Applied Communication Research, 46(1)_, 52-73.](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=f5eee9ad-f883-4091-964c-24e3ce32bd32&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2017.1409906) [Knobloch, L. K., Knobloch-Fedders, L. M., Yorgason, J. B., Ebata, A. T., & McGlaughlin, P. C (2017). Military children’s difficulty with reintegration after deployment: A relational turbulence model perspective. _Journal of Family Psychology, 31(5)_, 542-552. doi:10.1037/fam0000299](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=bf8dbe25-9f5b-4836-960f-305163fc1adb&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000299) [Knobloch, L. K., & Theiss, J. A. (2012). Experiences of U.S. military couples during the post-deployment transition: Applying the relational turbulence model. _Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 29(4)_, 423–450. doi:10.1177/0265407511431186](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=66fee875-8576-4859-a21a-0cf51211e3fc&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407511431186) [Knobloch, L. K., Ebata, A. T., McGlaughlin, P. C., & Theiss, J. A. (2013). Generalized anxiety and relational uncertainty as predictors of topic avoidance during reintegration following military deployment. _Communication Monographs, 80(4)_, 452-477. doi:10.1080/03637751.2013.828159](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=d1328c8d-c224-40ce-a8a5-f0276b4dcb9b&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2013.828159) [Knobloch, L. K., Pusateri, K. B., Ebata, A. T., & McGlaughlin, P. C. (2014). Communicative experiences of military youth during a parent’s return home from deployment. _Journal of Family Communication, 14(4)_, 291-309. doi:10.1080/15267431.2014.945701](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=8ba22319-d611-444c-a871-09600b7d0b08&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2014.945701) [Knobloch, L. K., Basinger, E. D., Wehrman, E. C., Ebata, A. T., & McGlaughlin, P. C. (2016). Communication of military couples during deployment and reunion: Changes, challenges, benefits, and advice. _Journal of Family Communication, 16_ (2), 160-179. doi:10.1080/15267431.2016.1146723](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=f243dc85-646b-4223-b988-5ea52600b265&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2016.1146723) [Knobloch, L. K., McAninch, K. G., Abendschein, B., Ebata, A. T., & McGlaughlin, P. C. (2016). Relational turbulence among military couples after reunion following deployment. _Personal Relationships, 23_(4), 742-758. doi:10.1111/pere.12148](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=ad1d97bb-8680-4690-a062-dbe824b026f8&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12148) [Theiss, J. A., & Knobloch, L. K. (2013). A relational turbulence model of military service members' relational communication during reintegration. _Journal of Communication, 63_(6), 1109–1129. doi:10.1111/jcom.12059]( https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=3a82b4fc-2d27-4052-a962-1c6c6299d6ff&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12059) [Knobloch-Fedders, L. M., Knobloch, L. K., Scott, S., & Fiore, H. (2020). Relationship changes of military couples during reintegration: A longitudinal analysis. _Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37_(7), 2145-2165.](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=b442f35b-998c-4cb7-87e3-ad629f8e8805&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520917461)

Family Story

https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/ffTheRealtiyOfReintegration.jsp

https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-KnoblochEtAl2016

Knobloch, L. K., Basinger, E. D., Wehrman, E. C., Ebata, A. T., & McGlaughlin, P. C. (2016). Communication of military couples during deployment and reunion: Changes, challenges, benefits, and advice. Journal of Family Communication, 16 (2), 160-179. http://doi/10.1080/15267431.2016.1146723

Deployment means changes and adjustments for military couples. Using open-ended questions, the study investigated military couples' views and experiences during deployment and reintegration. Results supported the emotional cycle of deployment model, which indicated that military couples faced specific obstacles and opportunities at each stage of deployment.

http://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2016.1146723

Couples
Deployment

Multiple branches
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps

Active Duty
Guard

Active duty service member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Guard/Reserve member

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Qualitative Study

Knobloch, Leanne K., Basinger, Erin D., Wehrman, Erin C., Ebata, Aaron T., McGlaughlin, Patricia C.

Theemotional cycle of deployment modelproposes that military couples face both obstacles and opportunities across the trajectory of deployment. Guided by the model, we seek to address gaps in the literature by investigating how 236 recently reunited service members and at-home partners (N = 118 couples) describe their experiences during deployment and reunion. Results of content analyses revealed a variety of changes to communication during deployment (RQ1), challenges of reunion (RQ2), benefits of deployment (RQ3), and advice for reintegration (RQ4). These findings bolster and extend the emotional cycle of deployment model; they also have practical utility for helping military couples navigate deployment and reunion.

Taylor & Francis

Article
REACH Publication

Department of Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, LKK
Department of Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, EDB
Department of Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, ECW
Department of Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, ATE
University of Illinois Extension, IL, PGM