The effects of military lifestyle and operational deployments on marital dynamics: A qualitative study of military spouses in Türkiye

Abstract: This qualitative study investigates the effects of military lifestyle and operational deployments on the marital experiences of military spouses through a phenomenological approach. Using MAXQDA 2020 software, the analysis delves into the experiences of 20 military spouses and identifies various critical themes. The study outlines key themes and sub-themes under the categories "Attitudes Towards the Military," "The Impact of Duties on Marriage," and "Duty-Related Stress and Resilience Systems." Findings indicate that despite the potential negative impacts of military lifestyle and deployments on marital relationships, military spouses generally exhibit a positive attitude toward the military and tend to enhance their resilience and develop their strengths in challenging conditions. However, despite this resilience, disruptions in family dynamics have been observed. These results provide a significant basis for understanding the complex effects of military lifestyle on individuals and for developing effective support strategies.

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