Couples with one or both spouses in the military often face unique challenges in their marriage. Being deployed to a different country can be difficult for couples and may actually increase the risk of divorce, according to a new study.

The study by the RAND corporation found that military members who served longer deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq had a higher risk of getting divorced compared to other couples with one or both spouses in the military that didn’t serve long deployments. 

The study found an interesting correlation between couples who got married before Sept. 11, 2001 and the risk of divorce. Researchers said that couples who were married before the 9/11 attacks were 28 percent more likely to get divorced during the first three years of marriages if one or both spouses were deployed for at least one year in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The researchers said couples who got married after 9/11 had a lower risk of getting divorced, possibly due to their ability to handle the challenges married couples face when one or both spouses are deployed.

In addition to the increased risk of divorce for military couples married before 9/11, the study also found an interesting link between longer deployments and divorce. The study reported that the risk of getting divorced increased the longer one or both spouses were deployed overseas.

The study also found that female military members were more likely to get divorced after deployment, and couples with children were less likely to get divorced than couples without children after one or both spouses were deployed.

Going through a military divorce can be complicated as there are many unique and different considerations to make. Individuals in the military or with spouses in the military thinking about legal separation or filing for divorce should contact a divorce attorney to understand the divorce process and what steps to take next.

Source: Huffington Post, “Military Divorce Risk Increases With Lengthy Deployments,” Sept. 3, 2013