Have you ever seen a couple breakup and you're wondering why and how because they

looked so good together or they complimented each other so well you would not have imagined

them being apart? I imagine we all have but despite the history you have with someone or the

many good times you have shared with that person there is a chance that the relationship may not

work out. Seeing someone go through a breakup or experiencing one for ourselves is not quite

appealing for most people but it’s a process that may seem as if it is inevitable. For some it's a

relief, while for others it's dreadful. There are many reasons why people separate and the article

Predicting non marital romantic relationship dissolution by Le and colleagues showcases the

factors that are predictors of breaking up. In the article, it speaks about the predictions of

breaking up and what factors are more contributing to this issue in non marital relationships (Le

et al., 2010). In many cultures people engage in this type of relationship before marriage while in

other cultures they jump right into marriage. Altogether, whichever method is chosen, you are

still at risk of going through a break up with your partner. In their research they conducted a

meta analysis for relationship dissolution in which the article highlighted three main predictors

of relationship stability that included relationship factors, individual factors and external factors

(Le et al., 2010). However, these were also factors that contributed to relationship dissolution.

Individual factors are the individual difference variables both general and specific to

relationships (Le et al., 2010). These can include attachment style, personality and self esteem.

Relationship factors assess states and quality of the relationship and these include commitment,

closeness, satisfaction and love (Le et al., 2010). External factors are influenced by network

members' approval or support can influence relationship success (Le et al., 2010).

Alternatively, while these factors can bring about success in a relationship, it can be the

reason why persons separate. For example, a person's level of commitment and dependence were
high predictors of dissolution (Le et al., 2010). In their meta analysis they compiled articles and

got 14 usable data sets in which it showcased that relationship factors were higher predictors for

dissolution (Le et al., 2010). They had 37,761 participants in which 137 studies included

journals, dissertations and other unpublished data sets. 58% of their participants were females,

81% white and 96% heterosexual (Le et al., 2010). These studies were conducted in the western

part of the world and their results showcased that relationship factors were better predictors of

dissolution (Le et al., 2010). Nonetheless, the external factor of network support was a

moderately predictor even though there was a gender difference in the results (Le et al., 2010).

Additionally, dependence and commitment served as robust predictors of breaking up (Le et al.,

2010). Despite the results of the study several relationship variables being robust persistent

predictors are only relational. They measure the evaluations of aspects of relationship quality by

individuals; for the most part, they do not tap the complexities of continuing complex

interpersonal relationships (Le et al., 2010).

On the other hand, a breakup can negatively impact the individual and this may bring

about emotional distress. The article Who Am I Without You? The Influence of Romantic

Breakup on the Self-Concept by Slotter and colleagues spoke about how an individual's self

concept is altered during the relationship and after the end of the relationship. Self concept is

defined as a person's self of "me" (Slotter et al., 2009). This may include their behaviour, values

and beliefs, physical appearance and responsibilities. Additionally, it comprises the social aspect

of the individual’s life and the relationship they have with other people. In the wake of romantic

breakup and the link between these changes and emotional distress the study investigated self

concept content change and loss of self concept clarification and how these impact the

individual's emotional well-being post-breakup (Slotter et al., 2009). Self concept clarity is
defined as the extent to which self aspects are held with certainty and perceived to be both

internally consistent and temporally stable (Slotter et al., 2009). In their research they had 3

separate studies where they looked at breakup induced self concept change and self concept

clarity, the changes that took place within themselves after the breakup, and breakup relation to

self concept clarity where emotional distress is the predictor (Slotter et al., 2009). Many times

when individuals get into relationships they become so entangled with their partner that their self

concept becomes blurred. For example, individuals that are highly committed in romantic

relationships sometimes use the first person plural pronoun we, us or our in reference to both

them and their partner (Slotter et al., 2009). This can have a negative impact in the process of

breaking up.

When relationships don't work out some of the self views that individuals once shared

with their partner they now have to discard. For example, engagement in shared recreational

activities. These individuals have to reconstruct themselves after the breakup and this may

include altering their appearance, social circles and values and beliefs (Slotter et al., 2009). Even

so, they found that despite restructuring being a timely process, reduced self concept clarity and

emotional distress was still evident weeks after the breakup (Slotter et al., 2009). They also

found that individuals experienced reduced self concept clarity to emotionally distressed when

they had to go through a breakup with their partner (Slotter et al., 2009). Additionally, they had

to change the content of themselves and so there was a loss of self concept clarity.

There are predictors such as relationship factors that are the main reason behind

individuals breaking up and even so, these factors are also the reason why persons stay together.

When individuals break up they sometimes lose a part of themselves because they were entwined
with their partner and because of this they have to reconstruct themselves and this may be a hard

process to go through.
 Reference

LE, B., Dove, N.L., Agnew, C.R., Korn, M.S., Mutso, A.A. (2010). Predicting nonmarital

romantic relationship dissolution: A meta-analytic synthesis. Personal Relationships,

17(3), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01285.x

Slotter, E.B., Gardner, W.L., Finkel, E.L. (2009). Who Am I Without You? The Influence of

Romantic Breakup on the Self-Concept. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(2),

147–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167209352250