Breakup Distress Trajectories Across Emerging Adulthood and the Quality of Romantic Relationships: A Mixed-Method Study

One hundred and twenty-four Israeli emerging adults reported at the ages of 20, 23, 25, and 28, on the level of breakup distress they experienced. At age 28, romantic competence was assessed via interviews. A trajectory analysis yielded two breakup distress trajectories. The first trajectory represented a stable, low level of breakup distress, comprising two-thirds of the sample. The second trajectory represented a stable high breakup distress and comprised one-third of the sample. Analysis of the interviews showed that affiliates of the high breakup distress trajectory described being involved in difficult relationships in which they were willing to be controlled by their partners. In contrast, affiliates of the low distress trajectory are described as having the skills to manage their relationship competently. Based on the findings, it would be important to raise awareness of the conditions when a relationship is toxic and learn what adaptive relationships look like.