Relationship Breakdown

• One of the partners becomes distressed with the way the relationship is conducted.
• Inequitable relationships are more likely to create dissatisfaction than equitable relationships.
• Realisation that the person is no longer willing or able to stand the dissatisfaction may be the first step in the eventual breakdown.
• The intrapysychic phase involves brooding on the relationship and considering whether they might be better off out of it.
• Intrapsychic, dyadic, social and grave-dressing phases are brief explanations of the phases of relationship breakdown as described by Duck's phase model.
• Two criticisms of Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown are that it does not consider the role of the individual in the breakdown of the relationship and that it does not provide a clear explanation of the process of recovery.
• Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown is outlined and evaluated, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.
• During the intrapysychic phase, an individual feels burdened by feelings of resentment and a sense of being under-benefited.
• Some people end relationships without even discussing their dissatisfaction with their partner.
• The dyadic phase involves individuals confronting their partner and beginning to discuss their feelings, discontentment and the future of their relationship.
• Feelings of anger and guilt are likely to surface during the dyadic phase.
• Couples may be aware of the forces that bind them together and the costs that may be incurred if the relationship would be ended during the dyadic phase.
• The relationship may be saved if both partners are motivated to resolve the issues and so avoid a breakup during the dyadic phase.
• Many couples would seek marital therapy in the hope to save the relationship during the dyadic phase.
• The partners may start to involve others in their dissatisfaction with the relationship during the dyadic phase.
• The social phase involves dissatisfaction being told to a network of friends and family.
• Distress that is made by either one or both the partners is made public during the social phase.
• It becomes harder for the 2 partners to deny that there’s really a problem with their relationship and harder to subsequently bring a reconciliation during the social phase.
• Others may take sides, offer advice and support, help in mending any disputes between the 2 sides during the social phase.
• Involvement of others may even speed the partners towards dissolution through revelations about one or other of the partners’ behaviour during the social phase.
• The grave dressing phase involves individuals attempting to justify their actions after having left a relationship.
• Each partner must present themselves to others as being trustworthy and loyal during the grave dressing phase.
• Partners strive to construct a representation of the failed relationship that doesn’t paint their contribution to it in unfavourable terms during the grave dressing phase.
• For teenagers and young adults, romantic relationships are seen as more unstable and are recognised by others as being 'testing grounds' for future long-term commitments.
• Dealing with vulnerable individuals attempting to cope with the trauma and emotional distress associated with a relationship breakup presents particular ethical issues.
• Raises particular issues of vulnerability and confidentiality.
• Duck introduces a new model with the resurrection process, stressing that for many people, a breakup is an opportunity to move beyond the distress associated with the ending of a relationship and instead engage in the process of personal growth.
• Duck's 1982 model failed to reflect the possibility of relationship growth following breakdown.
• Individuals may receive sympathy but no real attempt at reconciliation from their confidants that there are 'plenty more fish in the sea'.
• The benefit of grave-dressing is that the individual can make stories that play down their role in the breakup and so do not threaten their psychological well-being.
• In the later phases of the model, different strategies are appropriate, social processes phase people outside the relationship may help the partners to patch up their differences.
• The nature and impact of the social phase experienced during a breakup depends on the sort of relationship that is involved.
• If the relationship was in the intrapsychic processes phase, repair may involve re-evaluating the partner's behaviour in a more positive light.
• Tashiro and Frazier found that individuals are able to feel better about ending a relationship when they focus on the situation rather than their own flaws.
• Tashiro and Frazier's 92 undergraduate study found that most respondents reported experiencing both emotional distress and personal growth following a breakup.
• The guiding principle in all psychological research is that the benefits of undertaking the research must outweigh the risks, impact of the research on the participants involved.
• Older people in long term relationships may have lower expectations of being able to find a replacement for a partner, consequently, the consequences of a breakup are more significant.
• Monroe's study found that students who had experienced the end of a romantic relationship in the previous year had a greater risk of developing a major depressive disorder for the first time.
• Duck's model stresses the importance of communication in relationship breakdown, paying attention to the things that people say and the ways in which they talk about their relationship offers an insight into how they are thinking about their relationship.
• Every person who leaves a relationship has to leave with their social credit intact for future use during the grave dressing phase.