Relationship breakup
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In psychology, there are several models that attempt to explain and account for the trajectory of the breakup of a relationship.
First is the four-phase model as proposed by Duck in 1982. According to Duck, there are four phases involved in the dissolution of a personal relationship (1982, as cited in Battaglia 1998): intrapsychic, dyadic, social and grave-dressing. Intrapsycic phase is referred to individual's private appraisal of the relationship in terms of its quality and alternatives. When these thoughts become public, the dyadic phase begins when partners shift back and forth from resolution to dissolution. Dyadic phase is normally followed by the social phase when couples acknowledge the social repercussions for separating.
Mood disorders and relationship breakup
In a study that aims at investigating the relationship between background relationship transitions and mental health in young adulthood, researchers compiled data from 1,581 Dutch young adults aged 18-34, who participated in three waves (1996, 1997, and 1999) of a nationwide epidemiological survey. It was found that mood disorders and the experience of relationship difficulties are related to one another. This means that
- earlier prevalence of mood disorders increased young adults' likelihood of subsequently experiencing a break-up/divorce and
- reduced the likelihood of becoming a parent,
but at the same time mood disorders could be predicted by previously experienced relationship difficulties. On the other hand having a relatively unattached relationship status (i. e., not stably cohabiting/married, not being a parent) is related to the onset of substance disorders. Furthermore, depending on earlier partner relationship, mood disorders negatively affect individuals' chances of staying with one's partner (Overbeek, Vollebergh, Engels, & Meeus, 2003)
References
- Battaglia, D. M., Richard, F. D., Datteri, D. L. & Lord, C. G. (1998). Breaking up is (relatively) easy to do: a script for the dissolution of close relationships. "Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15", 829-845.
- Overbeek, G., Vollebergh, W., Engels, R. C. M. E., & Meeus, W. (2003). Young adults' relationship transitions and the incidence of mental disorders - A three-wave longitudinal study. "Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 38"(12), 669-676.