Romantic Relationship Dissolution Research Articles

"I'm fighting with BPD instead of my partner": A dyadic interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experience of couples navigating borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with romantic relationship distress and dissolution. The complex interaction between BPD and romantic relationships warrants further attention. Dyadic interviews (N = 10) were conducted to examine the experience and impact of BPD on couples' relationships. The results of interpretative phenomenological analysis consisted of two superordinate themes describing the couple experience of navigating BPD: (a) the shared experience of BPD as a relational stressor; and (b) adaptive dyadic coping in the context of BPD. Although BPD was experienced as a relational stressor, dyadic coping and shared externalization of BPD emerged as central components to adaptive couple functioning. Most couples reported that therapy was a critical external resource in their journey toward adaptively functioning in the context of BPD, both intrapersonally and interpersonally. The lived experiences of these couples provides therapists with an increased understanding of the resources that support adaptive dyadic coping with BPD.

It’s Not You, It’s Me: Perceived Face Threat of Disengagement Language in Dating Relationships

ABSTRACT Romantic relationship dissolution and its aftermath have rarely been investigated through the lens of face threat. This research delves into the communication of relationship dissolution, and argues that rejectees’ perceived face threat of dissolution language, when interacting with their self-concept clarity (attachment style and pre-dissolution commitment) can have an impact on their recovery length. I recruited 246 undergraduate participants who have experienced relationship dissolution as a rejectee and have recovered from the dissolution. Participants filled out a survey to assess their perceived face threat from rejectors’ dissolution language, attachment styles, and pre-dissolution commitment. Model fit of perceived face threat measure was tested, and path analysis model was run. Results show that rejectees’ perceived face threat of dissolution language and pre-dissolution commitment significantly lengthen their recovery period. Rejectees’ attachment style does not have a direct impact on their recovery, but mediates through perceived face threat. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Stressful Life Events and Risk of Homelessness After Active Duty: An Assessment of Risk and Resilience Among Servicemembers.

The transition from military to civilian life may present increased exposure to various stressful life events (SLEs) that can increase the risk of homelessness (eg, loss of employment, dissolution of romantic relationships). We assessed the extent to which exposure to SLEs occurring proximal to US Army soldier transitions out of active duty was associated with risk of homelessness. A total of 16 589 respondents who were no longer on active duty but participated while on active duty during 2011-2014 baseline surveys completed follow-up surveys during 2016-2018 and 2018-2019. The follow-up surveys assessed SLEs and homelessness occurring in the past 12 months. We used modified Poisson regression models to evaluate how much differential SLE exposure and effects explained the aggregate association of a risk index with homelessness among a sample of 6837 respondents, weighted to represent the full sample. More than half (n = 3510, 52.8%) of respondents reported experiencing any SLEs in the past 12 months. Most (60.5%) of the difference in prevalence of homelessness among respondents defined as being at high risk of homelessness (vs lower risk) was explained by differential exposure to, and/or effects of, these SLEs. Personal betrayal by a loved one and economic problems played the largest roles in adjusted risk differences (0.045 and 0.074, respectively). Homelessness might be reduced by gearing interventions toward soldiers at high risk of homelessness who are transitioning out of active duty to reduce exposure to and effects of modifiable SLEs on experiencing homelessness.

Dark Triad traits and relationship dissolution

A substantial body of research exists documenting the relationship between Dark Triad traits and the formation and maintenance of close personal relationships. Relatively few studies have, however, considered Dark Triad traits in the context of relationship dissolution. The present studies investigate the relationship between Dark Triad traits and the strategies used during the dissolution of romantic relationships (Study 1) and friendships (Study 2). For each study participants (Study 1: N = 722; Study 2: N = 177) completed the Short Dark Triad-3 (SD3) and Break-up Strategies Questionnaire. In Study 1, Machiavellianism predicted greater use of avoidance / withdrawal, cost escalation / manipulation, and de-escalation when terminating a romantic relationship and lower open confrontation. Further, psychopathy predicted greater use of cost escalation / manipulation and distant / mediated communication but lower positive tone / self-blame and open confrontation when terminating a romantic relationship. In Study 2, psychopathy predicted greater distant / mediated communication only and Machiavellianism was not a significant individual predictor of strategies used during the dissolution of friendship. Narcissism was less closely associated with break-up strategies than Machiavellianism or psychopathy, predicting greater open confrontation with romantic partners only (Study 1).

Breaking‐up is hard to study: A review of two decades of dissolution research

AbstractThe dissolution of romantic relationships can be conceptualized in many ways, from a distressing event or a consequential life decision to a metric of a relationship's success. In the current review, we assess how relationship science has approached dissolution research over roughly the past 20 years. We identified 207 studies (from 195 papers) published between 2002–2020 that captured relationship dissolution events and coded the papers for relevant features. The most common methodological approach to studying breakups was a self‐report study (92%) in which relationships were tracked over time (72%) and breakups were treated as an outcome variable (79%). These results suggest that most research on dissolution has focused on predictors of it, rather than processes required to uncouple and circumstances surrounding the breakup itself. Coding revealed heterogeneous theoretical approaches, with the most common perspective across papers—social exchange/interdependence theory—informing only 15% of the papers coded. A majority (61%) of samples were representative of the nations, regions, or localities in which the studies were conducted. Yet, samples still tended to be disproportionately comprised of young, white individuals from Western countries. We conclude by discussing potential avenues for moving our understanding of relationship dissolution forward.

Effects of a D2 receptor antagonist on repeated pair bond formation in the male prairie vole

Repeated formation and subsequent dissolution of romantic relationships is common in humans across a lifetime. The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is used to study mechanisms of these bonds. At least in the laboratory, male prairie voles form bonds with a new female partner after loss of a previous partner. Initial bond formation depends on activation of dopamine D2-like receptors in the nucleus accumbens. Blocking activity of this receptor subtype disrupts formation of an animal's first pair bond. It is not known if these same D2-like receptors facilitate pair bonding with a subsequent partner after previous partner loss. This study examined the effects of D2-like receptor blockade on repeated pair bonding in male prairie voles. Males were paired with an initial female and allowed to mate before being separated. After a 5-day separation, males were then treated with either saline or eticlopride, a selective D2-receptor antagonist, prior to being paired with a second female and being allowed to mate. After a second separation, males were tested to determine if they developed a preference for spending time with their first or second mate. Eticlopride-treated males spent more time in a cage containing one of their previous partners compared to time in an empty cage but did not form a selective preference for either partner. Saline-treated males preferred their second, more recent partner. D2 receptor antagonism, then, disrupts bond formation in a second pairing but does not help to maintain a bond with the initial partner.

The effectiveness of Cognitive-behavioral therapy on self-harming thoughts and psychological well-being in students’ dissolution of romantic relationships

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of CBT on self-harming thoughts and psychological well-being in students with dissolved romantic relationships. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and follow-up with two experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of 587 patients referred to the counseling center of Sari city, from which 60 students with dissolved romantic relationships were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants completed the Sanson & Sanson (2010) Self-Damage Questionnaire and the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire (1989) in three pre-test, post-test, and follow-up sessions. The experimental group received 8 sessions of Cognitive-behavioral therapy and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis method with SPSS.22 software. Results: In the experimental group, the mean (standard deviation) of self-harming thoughts decreased from 18.53 (1.95) in the pre-test to 8.00 (1.64) in the post-test, but in the control group the mean (deviation) The criterion was self-injurious thoughts in the pre-test of 18.80 (2.07) and in the post-test of 18.93 (1.53), which did not differ. Also, in the experimental group, the mean (standard deviation) of psychological well-being in the pre-test was 43.60 (12.45) which increased to 97.13 (8.14) in the post-test, but in the control group, the average (standard deviation) of well-being Psychology was obtained in the pre-test of 40.80 (11.26) and in the post-test of 40.80 (11.30) which was not different. Conclusion: The study showed that positive treatment reduced self-harming thoughts and suicidal thoughts and increased psychological well-being in students with dissolved romantic relationships.

Romantic relationship dissolution on social networking sites: Self-Presentation and public accounts of breakups on Facebook

Social media users post an endless stream of life updates, commentary, and other content. This online self-presentation constitutes a narrative that can be examined as a shared account. In this study, we tested the applicability of Duck’s model of relational dissolution (Duck, 1982; Rollie & Duck, 2006) to participants’ personal and public accounts of their romantic breakups on social networking sites (also referred to as social network sites). We adopted mixed methods (content analysis, survey, and interview) to examine emerging adults’ ( N = 97) account-making during romantic relationship dissolution and the role of social media, specifically Facebook, in the process. Over 3500 posts and comments from before and after users’ breakups were quantitatively and qualitatively content analyzed. Synthesizing these three data sources revealed patterns regarding users’ selective self-presentation in masspersonal channels. Their dissolution accounts were shaped by perceptions of Facebook’s social affordances, such as the visibility and persistence of posts, comments, and relational artifacts; social feedback (e.g., comments and “likes” from the online social network, usually for social support); conversational control (e.g., blocking and defriending); and network association, which created a diverse imagined audience and context collapse. Findings suggest that some of Duck’s relational dissolution model manifests on social media, particularly social, gravedressing, and resurrection processes. Users consider and capitalize on perceived affordances of computer-mediated communication channels to construct, curate, or avoid public accounts of their breakups. Our study also provides a methodological framework for investigating user experiences and selective self-presentation on social media over time synthesizing quantitative and qualitative methods.

Narcissistic admiration and rivalry and reactions to romantic breakup

This study examined how narcissism, described by the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept (NARC), relates to reactions to romantic relationship dissolution. 246 participants completed a survey assessing the NARC components, and measures concerning a specific past relationship: Emotional reactions immediately following breakup, perceptions of the ex-partner, responsibility for initiating and attributions of blame for problems leading to breakup. Narcissistic rivalry was associated with greater externalized (anger) and internalized (sadness and anxiety) negative emotion, while narcissistic admiration was associated with greater anger and less sadness. Narcissistic admiration was associated with more positive and rivalry with more negative trait perceptions of the ex-partner. Narcissism was unrelated to attributions of blame for the breakup or relationship problems, but admiration was associated with a greater role in initiating breakup.

The Mediating Effects of Resilience in the Relationship of Sexual Involvement and Romantic Relationship Dissolution

Romantic relationship dissolution (RRD) can be perceived as an upsetting or momentous event and the most stressful and unsettling events that one can encounter in life. The aim of this study to investigate the relationship between sexual involvement in a relationship and romantic relationship resolution and the role of resilience as mediators of this relationship. Two hundred ninety-three emerging young adults (ages 18 to 29) from Klang Valley have participated in this study. The present study used the Resilience Scale (RS), the Core Bereavement Items (CBI), and demographic information items. Obtained results indicated a significant difference in sexual involvement in a relationship on the level of reactions to romantic relationship dissolution. The sexual involvement in the relationship was positively and significantly correlated with romantic relationship dissolution. Specifically, sexual involvement was negatively correlated with resilience, which was, in turn, negatively associated with romantic relationship dissolution. Additionally, results also show that mediation effect for sexual involvement in resilience to romantic relationship resolution was significant. The practical implications for helping professionals were also discussed in this work.

Romantic Relationship Dissolution, Microbiota, and Fibers.

Microbiota inhabit nearly every part of our body with the gut microbiota representing the greatest density and absolute abundance. The gut-microbiota-brain axis facilitates bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the brain. For instance, romantic relationship not only brings joy, it is also associated with increased gut microbiota diversity and health benefits whereas reduced microbiota diversity is related to obesity, cardiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory disorders. Research has shown that dietary fibers may increase microbiota diversity and exert antidepressant effect. Among a plethora of life stressors, romantic relationship dissolution is a relatively common and painful experience that people encounter from time to time. Depressed mood, social isolation and poor intake are all associated with romantic relationship dissolution. In this article, it is hypothesized that romantic relationship dissolution is accompanied by decreased gut microbiota diversity which could be corrected with the ingestion of dietary fibers with an additional antidepressant benefit.

Attachment and Romantic Relationship Dissolution: A Case Study of Family Therapy

This study explores how attachment relationships and traumatic events affected an unmarried adult's relationship dissolutions as well as a therapeutic intervention. Thematic Analysis was applied to ten sessions of family therapy utilising counselling transcripts, video recordings, and counselling logs. The client's experiences of attachment relationship and traumatic events included an anxious mother, inconsistent parenting in infancy, physical and emotional abuse and unempathetic parents (the absence of a secure base), parental conflict, and divorce. This is described in terms of the absence of an internal working model (the aggravation of an insecure attachment system), and an anxious attachment style and relationship dissolution in adulthood (the fixation of attachment pattern). Effective therapeutic intervention strategies included providing a secure base, mentalising and facilitating a relational experience to help the client resolve their attachment problems.

Putting me back together by getting back together: Post-dissolution self-concept confusion predicts rekindling desire among anxiously attached individuals

Previous research suggests that romantic relationship dissolution diminishes self-concept clarity, leading to emotional distress. Over time, people overcome breakup. But little is known about how people respond to the reduced self-concept clarity that results from this process. The current research examined predictors and mediators of relationship rekindling (desiring to reestablish a relationship with an ex-partner) as a method of navigating self-concept clarity impairment post-dissolution. In two cross-sectional studies, we found that attachment anxiety predicted relationship rekindling both retrospectively (Study 1) and concurrently (Study 2), and this association was mediated by self-concept clarity. These results indicate that anxiously attached individuals may attempt to resolve the substantial self-concept impairment posed by dissolution by reestablishing the relationship with the ex-partner.

Pathways linking early socioeconomic adversity to diverging profiles of romantic relationship dissolution in young adulthood.

Although studies on romantic relationships are abundant, cumulative experiences in intimate relationship dissolution (i.e., dissolution of cohabitation and marriage) during young adulthood is not yet completely understood. Using a nationally representative sample of 9,275 young adults, we investigated heterogeneity in timing and frequency of relationship dissolution during young adulthood, as well as its developmental precursors to dissolution. Results indicated four distinct relationship-dissolution classes that ranged from those who maintained stable romantic relationships to those who experienced multiple cohabitation dissolutions and divorces from ages 18 to 30 years. Early socioeconomic adversity predicted relationship-dissolution trajectories directly and indirectly through psychosociodemographic mechanisms in adolescence, including disrupted transitions to adulthood, conflict in dating relationships, and low levels of future orientation. Our findings highlight the heterogeneous romantic relationship trajectories of young adults and support the importance of the person-centered approach in elucidating developmental pathways underlying the longitudinal transitions in romantic relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Break-Up Kummerspeck? No Evidence for Weight Gain After Romantic Relationship Dissolution

Break-Up Kummerspeck? No Evidence for Weight Gain After Romantic Relationship Dissolution

Supplemental Material for Pathways Linking Early Socioeconomic Adversity to Diverging Profiles of Romantic Relationship Dissolution in Young Adulthood

Supplemental Material for Pathways Linking Early Socioeconomic Adversity to Diverging Profiles of Romantic Relationship Dissolution in Young Adulthood

Technology Use, Attachment Styles, and Gender Roles in the Dissolution of Romantic Relationships in Turkey

Modern communication technologies (such as e-mailing, texting and messaging via social networks) have become increasingly used today while establishing, maintaining and dissolving romantic relationships. This issue, which is being long studied in the United States, has been recently addressed in developing countries as well. This research has two aims: a) to ascertain the prevalence of the use of technological communication channels such as messaging, e-mail and social networks in the relationship dissolution; b) to examine anxious attachment, avoidant attachment and gender roles in the process of the relationship dissolution through which technology was used. A total of 215 (167 female, 48 male) Turkish university students completed an online questionnaire about technology-mediated breakups, attachment style, and gender role attitudes. According to the correlation and regression analyses, 40% of the students (87 students) stated that they experienced a relationship dissolution via internet. Based on the findings, it may be concluded that there is a significant link only between the use of internet technology with avoidant attachment style and the acceptance of technology use to dissolve the relationship.

The Dark Triad and break-up distress

The Dark Triad traits of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism have previously been associated with short-term relationship styles and low relationship commitment. Relationship commitment, in turn, has been identified as a reliable predictor of distress following romantic relationship dissolution. It was thus hypothesized that high levels of Dark Triad traits would predict lower break-up distress. Results showed, however, that Machiavellianism and psychopathy showed positive zero-order correlations with break-up distress, and narcissism showed no association with break-up distress. A subsequent pre-registered replication supported these unexpected findings. Implications for future research on the Dark Triad and relationship dissolution are discussed.

African American Men on the Dissolution of Marriages and Romantic Relationships

African American Men on the Dissolution of Marriages and Romantic Relationships

Army Soldiers and Suicidal Thoughts: The Impact of Negative Relationship Dynamics Moderated by the Dissolution of Romantic Relationships.

Suicide among United States active-duty Army soldiers rapidly increased over the past two decades. Using a sample of 322 soldiers from the Army STARRS study, the researchers examined if romantic relationship factors (i.e., hostile disagreements and relationship distress) were linked with suicidal thoughts in Army soldiers, and if these associations were moderated by a recent separation or divorce. Hostile disagreements and relational distress were both significantly associated with higher rates of suicidal ideation. These associations were significantly amplified in magnitude when in the context of a recent separation or divorce. Implications include novel assessment, prevention, and treatment efforts focused on romantic relationships that may reduce the likelihood of soldiers experiencing thoughts of suicide.