Stress-Related Growth after Dissolutions of Romantic Relationship: The Relationship between Growth, Adult Attachment Styles and the Position of Dissolution

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine stress-related growth following the dissolution of a romantic relationship, by concentrating on adult attachment styles and the position of dissolution. Participants were 184 college and university students (86 men and 98 women) who had experienced dissolutions in the five years. They were requested to recount their most impressive experience of dissolution and the growth that resulted from it. The results showed that a break-up yielded higher growth than an end to unrequited love. Participants who had experienced a break-up without a clear initiator had difficulty growing. Lower attachment-related avoidance was associated with higher growth, but there was no significant association between attachment-related anxiety and growth.