Romantic Breakup Distress, Betrayal and Heartbreak: A Review

Abstract

Although romantic breakups, breakup distress and heartbreak are common among adults, they have occurred as early as the seventh grade [90], and most of the studies on these topics have been conducted with university students, as reflected by the literature reviewed in this paper. Romantic breakups occur in as many as twothirds of university samples [43,104]. The breakups frequently lead to breakup distress which is often associated with depression, feelings of rejection and betrayal, heartbreak symptoms including chest pain and compromised immune function. This review summarizes some of that literature.In one of the early studies on romantic breakups in university students, the Breakup Distress Scale (adapted from the Inventory of Complicated Grief) and several other measures were used to assess the distress that followed romantic breakups [43]. In that, 192 university students (primarily Hispanic women)were surveyed about their recent romantic breakup. The students were divided into high versus low scoring groups based on the Breakup Distress Scale. The group with high Breakup Distress Scale scores reported that they had less time since the breakup occurred, that they were not the initiators of the breakup, that the breakup was sudden and unexpected, and that they felt rejected and betrayed. In a regression analysis on the same database, the depression scores (CES-D) and feeling rejected and betrayed by the breakup were significant predictors of the Breakup Distress scores. These variables explained 37% of the variance, highlighting their relationships to breakup distress. These results were not surprising given that depression has been related to other kinds of grief, and feelings of rejection and betrayal have been notably similar to physical pain and have led to immune dysfunction [29,47]. Thus, literature that related romantic breakups to depression, rejection and betrayal, pain and immune dysfunction are reviewed here. In addition, fMRI and biochemical data are reviewed as potential underlying mechanisms, and social and biochemical interventions are briefly explored. AbstractA review of the romantic breakup literature suggests that it can lead to breakup distress, betrayal and heartbreak. The breakup distress that occurs can be explained in part by depression and feelings of rejection and betrayal. These may lead to physical problems including heartbreak or the broken heart syndrome and immune dysfunction. The broken heart syndrome has notably mimicked heart attacks, but it has been differentiated from a real heart attack by angiograms revealing unclogged arteries and no permanent heart damage. Reduced vagal activity and increased cortisol and catecholamine levels (dopamine and norepinephrine) accompanying heartbreak are thought to be potential underlying mechanisms for the broken heart syndrome and for immune dysfunction including increased inflammatory cytokines and reduced natural killer cells. fMRIs following breakups have revealed increased activity in the cingulate cortex and the right ventricular pr...

“After the thrill is gone”: The role of psychotherapy in coping with romantic breakups.

“…Fisher, 2004; Gómez-López et al, 2019; Mattingly et al, 2020). Conversely, the termination of a romantic relationship has been demonstrated to trigger intense emotional turmoil (Davis et al, 2003; Field, 2017; G. W. Lewandowski et al, 2006; Preetz, 2022; Rhoades et al, 2011).…”

“…Romantic relationships have been shown to play a crucial role in the psychological and emotional development across the lifespan, proving a sense of connection, fulfillment, and meaning, and contributing to identity formation and overall well-being (e.g., H. Fisher, 2004;Go ´mez-Lo ´pez et al, 2019;Mattingly et al, 2020). Conversely, the termination of a romantic relationship has been demonstrated to trigger intense emotional turmoil (Davis et al, 2003;Field, 2017; G. W. Lewandowski et al, 2006;Preetz, 2022;Rhoades et al, 2011). Several researchers have found that individuals suffering from the consequences of a breakup may be more than just sad or blue; they may experience intrusive thoughts, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, including an elevated risk of suicidal ideation (Boelen & Van den Bout, 2010;Field, 2011;Verhallen et al, 2019;Whisman et al, 2022).…”

Attachment and Breakup Distress: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies

“…Self-help and approach coping will be studied through an exploratory approach, although it can be expected that individuals with attachment insecurities will less likely use adaptive coping strategies. All hypotheses and research questions will consider baseline levels of distress (to isolate breakup distress from general level of distress, Preetz, 2022 ) and four empirically supported potential covariates: gender (gender differences were found in post-breakup distress, Carter et al, 2018 ; Field, 2017 ; Preetz, 2022 ), breakup initiator (being the initiator has been related to lower post-breakup distress, e.g., Carter et al, 2018 ; Hunt & Chung, 2012 ), presence of betrayal (related to higher distress, Field et al, 2009 ), and involvement in a new relationship (related to lower distress, Boelen & Reijntjes, 2009 ; Carter et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Romantic breakups can affect mental health and result in various psychological symptoms, such as depressive symptoms (see Field, 2017 , for a review), including dysphoric mood and affects and the loss of motivation and interest in life ( Derogatis, 1993 ). A longitudinal study conducted by Keller et al (2007) revealed that 19.6% of the 1731 participants whose symptoms met the criteria for major depression in the last year identified that the main cause was a romantic breakup.…”

College Students’ Disenfranchised Grief Following a Breakup: The Effect of Relationship Closeness and Perceived Stigma on Grief

“…Grief in the context of college is an important occurrence to study because of the large impact mourning has on students' lives. Common symptoms include sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, feelings of depression and anxiety, changes in drug-use or eating behaviors, diminished academic performance, and endocrine and immune dysfunction (del Palacio-González et al, 2017;Field, 2013;Field et al, 2009). Although some of these symptoms are distilled from death related losses, college students often endorse similar grief symptoms when experiencing non-death related losses (Balk, 2001;Cooley et al, 2010;Gold, Miller, & Rotholz, 2001;Gold, Neururer, & Miller, 2000).…”