Self‐esteem, personality and post traumatic stress symptoms following the dissolution of a dating relationship

Abstract

The present study aimed to ascertain the extent to which people, following the dissolution of a dating relationship, experienced post traumatic stress symptoms. It also aimed to investigate the relationship between post traumatic stress and self-esteem and personality. The hypotheses were that there would be a severe degree of post traumatic stress symptoms experienced by the present samples, and that the personality factor, in particular, neuroticism, and low self-esteem would be associated with the samples' post traumatic stress symptoms. Sixty heterosexual subjects who had experienced a romantic relationship dissolution over the past 24 months were recruited for the study. They were interviewed with The results showed that 72 per cent of the subjects scored at or above the high IES symptom cut-off. Forty-three per cent scored above the cut-off of the GHQ-28. Significant correlations were found between the impact of the dissolution and general health. The present subjects were significantly less extroverted and neurotic than the standardized samples. Stepwise regression analyses showed that negative self-esteem significantly predicted avoidance and the total general health, and that neuroticism significantly predicted the total impact of the dissolution.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in women with gynaecologic pathology: the role of temperament, self-esteem and mental health

“…It was shown that exposure to trauma may cause sleep disturbance (Babson & Feldner, 2010), but insomnia and nightmares are also associated with an increased risk for onset and continuance of PTSD (Wright, Britt, Bliese, Adler, Picchioni, & Moore, 2011), so they may serve as risk factors for PTSSs. In general, the high positive correlations between GHQ-28 dimensions and PTSSs confirmed in our study among patients with gynaecological pathology are in line with the results of previous studies (Chung et al, 2002;Taubman-Ben-Ari et al, 2001). Summing up, emotional reactivity and anxiety symptoms increase PTSS intensity in gynaecological patients, whereas lovability as a dimension of self-esteem may serve as a protective factor against intensification of PTSSs.…”

“…With respect to mental health, Chung et al (2002), using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), found a positive correlation between PTSSs and all mental health dimensions (somatic problems, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression) following the dissolution of a dating relationship. Chung, Berger, Jones, and Rudd (2008) observed higher levels of the aforementioned mental health dimensions in older myocardial infarction patients with full PTSD compared with a no-PTSD group (see also Horsham & Chung, 2013).…”

Benefit Finding and Psychological Adjustment Following a Non-Marital Relationship Breakup

“…The potential negative impact of a non-marital breakup on mental health extends beyond elevated levels of distress; the experience of a relationship breakup has been found to predict the initial onset of major depressive disorder in adolescents (Monroe, Rohde, Seeley, & Lewinsohn, 1999). Following the dissolution of a dating relationship, many people may even experience posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviour (Chung et al, 2002). In fact, Chung et al (2002) found that almost three quarters of their sample of individuals who had experienced a relationship breakup scored high on a measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms (the Impact of Event Scale; Horowitz, Wilner, & Alvarez, 1979).…”

“…Following the dissolution of a dating relationship, many people may even experience posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviour (Chung et al, 2002). In fact, Chung et al (2002) found that almost three quarters of their sample of individuals who had experienced a relationship breakup scored high on a measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms (the Impact of Event Scale; Horowitz, Wilner, & Alvarez, 1979).…”

Explanations for Elevated Psychiatric Vulnerability in Nonheterosexuals: Environmental Stressors, Genetics, and the HPA and HPG Axes

“…(Note that this could be related to legal barriers to a) homosexuals wishing to get married and b) heterosexual married couples wishing to break up.) If homosexual relationships are less stable, it could pose a risk to mental health to nonheterosexuals given that relationship dissolution is a major life stressor that can provoke psychiatric problems (Chung et al 2002).…”