Lover and learner: Exploring relational schema change following relationship dissolution. Issue 3 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brunson, Julie A.; Øverup, Camilla S.; Acitelli, Linda K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of social psychology. Volume 159:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 283
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Change in relationship knowledge -- relationship -- relationship dissolution -- relational schemas -- self-schema -- cognition; Social psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; Psychologie sociale -- Périodiques; Sociale psychologie; Electronic journals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2018.1458019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4545

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Romantic relationships are known to be very influential, but less is known about how these relationships, and particularly the breakup of these relationships, may affect individuals' relational schemas, or their expectations for relationships. Undergraduate students reported on how their views of themselves, romantic partners, and relationships changed after breaking up with a past partner. Results suggest that relational schemas change following relationship dissolution and that there are both positive and negative aspects to this change. There was also some evidence that aspects of the past relationship predicted change and the valence of change, and that change and the valence of change were related to aspects of current relationship quality. These results are an important first step in understanding how past romantic relationships influence people's expectations about relationships and, by extension, their health and wellbeing.