Relational Satisfaction as a Function of Relational

Relational satisfaction as a function of relational maintenance techniques and relational satisfaction as a function of type and frequency of contact between spouses.

There are two contradictory maxims that complicate the military phenomena: the first is "out of sight out of mind." The second is "absence makes the heart grow fonder." As applied to the military situation with one spouse separated from the other over long periods of intermittent time, the first maxim denotes that connection of one spouse to the other will be weakened, whilst the second maxim indicates that the opposite effect will occur and that their relationship will be strengthened due too the intensity of their longing for one another. Most research studies on military relationships seem to tend to the former indicating that the marital dynamics often seem to be at risk due to the periodically long and consistent separation of one spouse from the other (e.g. Galloway, 1987).

Sigman (1991) maintains that most relational theorists err when they define and study relationships as occurring only in the face-to-face interaction. On the contrary, relations are maintained in a variety of ways, and the entire span of the relationship dynamic has to be considered -- absence too not only face-to-face interactions. Relationships stretch across space and time. They should be considered as occurring within the format of a continuum and according to Sigman (1991), the seemingly continuous nature of relationships is merely a myth; most of it is conducted by and strengthened through the discontinues moments of non-immediate interaction. Relationships are not only maintained and operated through interactions between the two partners, but also continue 'outside and apart from any particular interactional event" (p.108) and, in fact, the very perquisites for their continuation requires some moving in and out of physical space over varying periods of time.

Relational dialectics express the same idea: People want to be together. On the other hand, they also seek some form of autonomy. Autonomy and connection are not contradictors. The one reinforces the other. In fact they are unified opposites in that "they negate one another, at the same time they are interdependent & #8230; with one another " (Baxter & Montgomery, 1996, pp.9-10).

Sahlstein (2004) examined how being together as well as being apart has its specific merits, but that being apart, depending on the quality of the relationship, may benefit the relationship in unique ways that being together cannot simulate. Participants were a combination of undergraduate students and adults who were in a long-distance romantic relationship with another and only saw the other on an infrequent intermittent basis. Couples were both interviewed and asked to complete a survey. Rresutls discovered that both forces of being together and being apart influenced one another in both enabling and constraining ways. The time spent together, for instance, refreshes or rejuvenates the partners, whilst the time apart works to construct valuable memories of the other and create a sense of sentimental and romantic longing. The time apart, too, makes the time that they are together all the more precious since they experience an intensity of quality time that they would likely never have had otherwise, and their distances make them endeavor all the more to make their time together more special. At the same time, their element of preciousness may put pressure on the relationship in that they strain to make the most of the pocket of time that they have together. This depends on how it is managed.

Another aspect, Sahlstein (2004) found, that contributes to the specialty of the distance-distance relationship is that both partners have had time apart to focus on other things and collect interesting experiences in the absence of the other. Sharing this when together brings an element of interest to the time they spend together

Sahlstein (2004) concluded that while researchers who have studied long-distance relationships have consistently assumed that time apart weakens the relationships, her study shows the opposite: that not only does it not weaken but that it also reinforces the relationships influencing it in many positive ways.

My hypothesis, consequently, when extending Sahlstein's (2004) study to the military field is that similar dynamics may occur. Rather than military relationships wakening as several studies indicate and as military spouses suspect, their very frequent absence of the partners will actually increases relationship satisfaction due to highlighting the preciousness of the time spent together, causing them to long for the other when apart, giving them the space to engage in independent interesting experiences, and enabling sentimental reminiscing of the other.

Research questions

My research questions are the following:

(1) How does relational satisfaction differ based upon the various relational maintenance techniques used

(2) How does relational satisfaction differ based upon the type of tool used (e-mail / phone/letter/chat etc.) and frequency to contact?

The independent variable is the type and frequency of contact and relational maintenance techniques. The dependent variable is relational satisfaction. The type of study that I will use is a diary analysis

Population

Female military spouses whose husbands are currently deployed in a combat zone for a period of 12 months or more. No difference in age or ethnicity. Participants may be with or without children. There will be at least 100 participants and they will be recruited thoguh the on post Family Readiness Groups (FRGs).

Methods

Respondents will be given very comprehensive and comprehensible instructions on how to complete the diary. Pilot study will be used to ensure that the instructions are understandable. The instructions will emphasize the importance of accuracy and offer assurance of anonymity and confidentiality. I will specify that entries need to be made regularly at the specified times. I will provide respondents with a diary where respondents will be given enough room to provide their answers. To encourage them to persist, I will solicit brief entries. I will also prevent problems from sample maintenance from occurring by ensuring that I have relatively frequent contact with respondents. The study itself will occur over the space of a months togetherness where I will communicate with the individuals once a week via postcard reminder. I will also provide a material incentive (a small payment) to encourage retention. Content analysis will be used to analyze response and group thematic content.

Contributions of study