An odd question for a general fact forum, but perhaps someone will know something about this.
Is there any research or well-supported thinking on what makes it more likely that a couple separated for a prolonged period of time (a year, let’s say, with no more than one or two visits to see each other during that time) will be able to sustain the relationship?
I can’t help directly, but perhaps looking at WW1 and WW2 might help?
At the Center for the Study of Long Distance Relationships (I shit you not!) I found this:
Naturally, there is no cite for those multiple studies. But it’s a start.
Back in another life (i.e. about 20 years ago) I was involved in a LDR. The motto of the LDR hit home within 6 months:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder - for someone else.
Never again.
Makes sense. I tried a LDR while in college. Didn’t work. We (the girl and I) were too young to do such a thing. However, if both parties are mature and do not lack self confidence, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I had a professor in college who was able to have a LDR with their spouse. They had been married for over 20 years. Granted they were apart only four days out of the week, but for the most part they were always away from each other. They even went so far as to each have their own vacations. Another professor’s husband was an airline pilot whose home base was in Denver while she was teaching and raising the kids in Louisiana. Not sure how much they saw each other.
We did it for three years after we got serious. Happily married. Cost a fortune in airfare, though.
Anything is possible, but it doesn’t make it probable.