It Hurts to Let You Go: Characteristics of Romantic Relationships, Breakups and the Aftermath Among Emerging Adults

Q3 Psychology

Journal of Relationships Research Pub Date : 2016-08-31 DOI:10.1017/jrr.2016.11

Charlene F Belu, Brenda H. Lee, L. O’Sullivan

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引用次数: 31

Abstract

Relationship breakups are common (Connolly & McIsaac, 2009), and difficulty adjusting to the breakup can manifest as post-relationship contact and tracking (PRCT; Lee & O'Sullivan, 2014). Emerging adults (n = 271; aged 18–25; 66% female) provided reports of PRCT after their most recent breakup in the previous year. We examined relationship and breakup characteristics to predict the use of and experience of PRCT. Logistic regression analyses revealed that ex-partner initiation of the breakup and a more intense breakup predicted the use of PRCT, and ex-partner's surprise regarding the breakup predicted being a target of PRCT. A between-subjects comparison of participants who either used or experienced PRCT reported similar impact of PRCT on the self or their ex-partner. However, participants who both used and experienced PRCT reported that the impact that an ex-partner's PRCT had on their lives was more negative than their use of PRCT had on their ex-partner's life, likely reflecting an actor-observer bias in reports. Difficulty adjusting to relationship breakup is normal, and predictive of attempts to remain in contact with an ex-partner. However, the seemingly benign form of contact can have a negative impact on individuals. The findings have implications for those counselling individuals in distress following a breakup, and contribute to the discourse around boundaries after a breakup.

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放手是痛苦的:恋爱关系的特点、分手和初出期成年人的后果

关系破裂是很常见的(Connolly & McIsaac, 2009)，适应分手的困难可以表现为关系后的联系和跟踪(PRCT;Lee & O'Sullivan, 2014)。新生成人(n = 271;岁的年龄在18岁至25岁之间;(66%为女性)在去年最近一次分手后提供了PRCT报告。我们研究了关系和分手特征来预测PRCT的使用和体验。Logistic回归分析显示，前伴侣提出分手和更强烈的分手预示着PRCT的使用，前伴侣对分手的惊讶预示着PRCT的目标。使用或经历过PRCT的参与者的受试者间比较报告了PRCT对自己或前伴侣的类似影响。然而，使用和经历过PRCT的参与者报告说，前伴侣的PRCT对他们生活的影响比使用PRCT对前伴侣生活的影响更消极，这可能反映了报告中的行为者-观察者偏见。难以适应一段关系的破裂是正常的，并且预示着试图与前任保持联系。然而，这种看似良性的接触方式可能会对个人产生负面影响。这些发现对那些在分手后感到痛苦的咨询师有启示，并有助于分手后关于界限的讨论。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Relationships Research Psychology-Social Psychology

自引率

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发文量

期刊介绍： This innovative journal provides researchers and practitioners with access to quality, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed articles covering the entire range of fields associated with personal, intimate, organizational and family, and social relationships, development, training and analysis of human relationship skills across the life-span. Originally an initiative of the Psychology of Relationships Interest Group of the Australian Psychological Society, the journal became independent within its first year with the intention of publishing papers from the full array of researchers of relationship. The journal features an experienced and eclectic international Editorial Board and is international in its reach. There is a special emphasis on contributions from Asia, including the subcontinent and Pacific regions but the journal welcomes papers from all other parts of the world.