The role of positive psychological factors and coping strategies following a non-marital relationship breakup

Abstract

The development and maintenance of romantic relationships has been a central focus of psychological research over the past few decades, whilst the dissolution of such relationships has received significantly less attention. This is of growing concern, as sociological changes indicate that the number of individuals experiencing non-marital relationship breakups is on the rise. Whilst previous research suggests that the dissolution of such relationships is likely to end in heartache, recent studies indicate that some individuals bounce back and exhibit positive adjustment. To date, little is known about how and why some individuals fare better than others. Furthermore, available research has primarily focused on trait-like factors that predict post-breakup distress, offering little opportunity for intervention. This raises two important questions: What individual characteristics and coping strategies are related to positive post-breakup adjustment? And, can we identify trainable factors that offer opportunity for intervention? This thesis sought to explore these questions in two research studies and a research practicum.

Study one aimed to identify positive psychological factors (e.g. mindfulness, optimism, hope, self-esteem and self-compassion) associated with adjustment following the breakdown of a non-marital relationship. Findings indicated that positive psychological factors were strongly related on post-breakup adjustment, over and above the circumstances of a relationship breakup. Further, the factors related to poor adjustment (lower mindfulness, self-esteem and optimism) differed somewhat from those related to positive adjustment (greater mindfulness, hope and self-compassion). These findings suggest that clinicians could usefully focus on building dual pathways to post-breakup resilience.

Based on the findings of study one, an experimental single case design study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic benefits of a brief online self-compassion intervention designed to help people cope with relationship breakups. Findings indicated that a majority of participants reported improvements in self-compassion, breakup distress, affect and wellbeing after the intervention. These findings offer preliminary evidence that self-compassion may be a useful clinical tool for supporting individuals after the breakdown of a romantic relationship.

Study two qualitatively explored the range and helpfulness of coping strategies employed by males and females after a relationship breakup. The main findings of the study indicated (i) a general consensus in the coping strategies reported most frequently by males and females, (ii) females tended to rate active forms of coping as more helpful, whilst males rated more avoidant forms of coping as more helpful, (iii) females and males who rated the helpfulness of coping strategies in this way, also tended to report greater wellbeing following the breakup. These surprising results are interpreted and discussed through the lens of role constraint theory.

Taken together, these studies indicate that clinical interventions developed to assist individuals in the aftermath of a relationship breakup should consider the role of individual characteristics, social roles and coping strategies, and should seek to not only reduce distress but also build wellbeing and positive adaptation.