Breakup A relationship breakup, often referred to simply as a breakup, is the termination of an intimate relationship by any means other than death. The act is commonly termed dumping [someone] in slang when it is initiated by one partner. The term is less likely to be applied to a married couple, where a breakup is typically called a separation or divorce. When a couple engaged to be married breaks up, it is typically called a broken engagement. Susie Orbach (1992) has argued that the dissolution of dating and cohabiting relationships can be as painful as or more painful than divorce because these nonmarital relationships are less socially recognized. Models Several psychological models have been proposed to explain the process of a relationship breakup, many suggesting that relationship dissolution occurs in stages. Stages leading to a breakup L. Lee proposes that there are five stages leading ultimately up to a breakup. Dissatisfaction – one or both partners grow dissatisfied with the relationship Exposure – both partners mutually become aware of the problems in the relationship Negotiation – both partners attempt to negotiate a solution to problems Resolution and transformation – both partners apply the outcome of their negotiation Termination – proposed resolution fails to rectify issues and no further solutions are accepted or applied Cycle of a breakup Steve Duck outlines a six-stage cycle of relationship breakup, including Dissatisfaction with the relationship Social withdrawal Discussion of the reasons for the discontentment Going public Tidying up the memories Recreating sense of ones own social value Factors that predict a breakup before marriage Hill, Rubin and Peplau identify 5 factors that predicted breakup before marriage: Unequal involvement in the relationship Age difference Educational aspirations Intelligence Physical attractiveness Uncoupling theory In 1976, sociologist Diane Vaughan proposed an uncoupling theory, where there exists a turning point in the dynamics of relationship breakup - a precise moment when they knew the relationship was over, when everything went dead inside - followed by a transition period in which one partner unconsciously knows the relationship is going to end, but holds on to it for an extended period, even for years. Vaughan considered that the process of breakup was asymmetrical for initiator and respondent: the former has begun mourning the loss of the relationship and has undertaken something tantamount to a rehearsal, mentally and, to varying degrees, experientially, of a life apart from the partner. The latter then has to play catch-up: to make their own transition out of the relationship, partners must redefine initiator and relationship negatively, legitimating the dissolution. As a result, for Vaughan getting out of a relationship includes a redefinition of self at several levels: in the private thoughts of the individual, between partners, and in the larger social context in which the relationship exists. She considered that uncoupling is complete when the partners have defined themselves and are defined by others as separate and independent of each other - when being partners is no longer a major source of identity. Phases of grief Grief counselor and breakup expert Susan J. Elliott[13] writes that the emotions of grief after a breakup are essentially the same as those of any grief process. Her research reflects that of Beverley Raphael who likened the process of grief as phases rather than stages. Elliott, who has researched grief extensively, writes that the phases of breakup grief are Shock and Disbelief, Review and Painful Relinquishment, and Reorganization, Integration, and Acceptance. Any of these three phases may be skipped, repeated, or rearranged, depending on ones situation and personality. Statistics According to John Fetto, a survey conducted by eNation found that nearly one-third of all Americans have experienced a breakup in the past ten years. He also found that the younger the person, the more likely they are to have experienced more than one breakup in the last decade. It is believed that this is because young people are more actively dating than older generations. Recovery Depending on the emotional attachment, healing from a breakup can be a long process with multiple stages, which may include: sanctioning adequate time to recover, improving intrapersonal relationships and, ultimately, finding the motivation necessary to dismiss the breakup itself. Laurie Helgoe, believes that, By releasing the past, you can approach new relationships with a fresh perspective and clearer vision. Releasing the relationship and the person physically from ones life will help to keep both from constantly resurfacing in everyday life. Releasing the relationship and the person from the mind and daily thoughts allocates more space to think about other important things, including future relationships. Positive psychology stresses the up-side to relationship breakup, for example emphasizing research wherein students reported five positive changes in their lives from the break-up for every negative change, (although women report more growth after a relationship break-up than do men). Once freed from the collusive solace of coupledom, the newly emerging singleton has to see him- or herself as a separate person in the world, standing alone facing his future, having to make his own choices from the new position of unwanted freedom. If seen as an opportunity, however, this process of self-rediscovery and independent expansion of self is important for anyone experiencing a romantic relationship break-up. New York City-based psychoanalyst and psychotherapist Janice Lieberman, PhD, says not every relationship deserves a dramatic breakup. How you experience your relationship depends on how you handle the breakup.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:27:15 +0000
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