Abstract

Breakups and troubles with a past romantic partner have long been known to be a major source of emotional distress in people. However, what is not commonly known are the exact reasons for the vast variability in rates of emotional recovery from a breakup and the effects an ex-partner may have on an individual’s well-being post-breakup. Previous research has indicated that the strongest predictors of decline in well-being from a breakup are due to having personal investments with the other person and length of time since the breakup occurred. The current research used online surveys to investigate correlations between scores on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and various Likert scale items related to uncertainty and a feelings of having lack of closure with an ex-partner. Results showed that declines in well-being after a breakup that occurred within the last year were related to having feelings of uncertainty about the decision to breakup (for those that initiated the breakup), and having uncertainty about why the breakup occurred (for those that did not initiate the breakup) were not statistically significant. Larger sample sizes are needed to make conclusions. Frequency of having thought about an ex-partner was moderately correlated with a decline in well-being. Additionally, uncertainty related to the decision to breakup was highly correlated with having thoughts about an ex-partner.

Recommended Citation

Hendrickson, Nolan R. and Štětinová, Karolina (2016) "The Relationship between Emotional Well-being and a Lack of Closure with Ex-partners," Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 18, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/psych_journals/vol1/iss18/9