Breakdown of Relationships

Question 0

Model of breakdown AO2/AO3

Answer 0

. Tashiro + Frazier (2003) - undergrads reported emotional distress and personal growth, grave dressing and resurrection processes enabled them to put original relationship to rest and move on.
. Makes common sense
. Looks at relationship breakdown as process not event
. Looks at broader picture
. Doesn’t look at causes
. Order
. Implications for intervention ( stresses importance of communication etc)
. Focuses on potential for growth rather than distress (people are able to grow beyond their previous level of psychological functioning, positive aspect)
. GENDER DIFFERENCES - women report more post relationship growth (due to more social support?)

Question 1

Model of breakdown AO1

Answer 1

. Rollie and Duck (2006)
- Breakdown (dissatisfaction, can’t take more)
- Intrapsychic processes
(social withdrawal, rumination, resentment, brooding on partners faults and relationship costs, re-evaluation of alternatives, justifying withdrawal)
- Dyadic processes
(uncertainty, anxiety, hostility, complaints, discussion of discontents/equity/roles, reassessment of goals/possibilities/commitments, do I mean it?)
- Social processes
(Going public, 3rd party support, denigration of partner, alliance building, social commitment, outside forces create cohesion, it’s inevitable)
- Grave-dressing processes
(Tidying up memories, making relational histories, stories prepared for different audiences, saving face, time to get a new life)
- Resurrection processes
(Recreating own sense of social value, defining what to get out of future relationships, preparation for different sort of relational future, reframing of past relational life, what I learned, how things will be different)

Question 2

Reasons for relationship breakdown AO1

Answer 2

. Duck 1999
. Lack of skills - interpersonal skills make relationship mutually satisfying, conversation skills, lack of social skills, don’t show interest (might breakdown before it gets going)
. Lack of stimulation (BAXTER 1994) boredom, relationship isn’t going anywhere doesn’t merit expectation that relationship will change/develop, causes end of relationship/start of new one
. Maintenance difficulties - can’t see each other enough (uni etc) relationship is strained

Question 3

Reasons for relationship breakdown AO2/AO3

Answer 3

. Boekhout 1999 undergrads reasons for being unfaithful -men = sexual reasons, women = emotional reasons (direct response to lack of skills/& stimulation in current relationship)
. BUT 70% and 90% students had experienced one long distance romantic relationship/friendship respectively
. REAL WORLD APPLICATION - those who had CCET reported higher marital quality, tackles social skills deficits

Question 4

Other AO2/AO3

Answer 4

. ETHICS - socially sensitive, vulnerable, distressed participants, EG woman in abusive relationship may fear her partner finds out she took part in a study
. GENDER DIFFERENCES - Brehm + Kassin 1996 women stressed unhappiness/incompatibility, men stressed sexual withholding for breakdown reasons. Akert (1998) women more likely to want to remain friends after breakdown IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTIONS 
. CULTURAL BIAS - heterosexual bias, white, middle class participants generally <- not representative of gay/ lesbian couples, or other relationship types (married/cohabiting/dating), doubtful processes experienced within these relationships are the same.