Relational ambivalence is conceptualized as having conflicting thoughts and feelings toward one’s partner or relationship. The current study explored how ambivalence about an ex-partner in a post-dissolution stage was associated with breakup distress as well as reconciliation. The moderating role of whether the relationship had previously cycled through breakups and renewals (on-off) or not (non-cyclical) was also examined. The 275 participants completed an initial survey following their most recent breakup (within the past 30 days) and up to five monthly surveys. Analyses showed cognitive and emotional ambivalence were associated with greater breakup distress and a greater likelihood of relationship renewal. Additionally, although cyclical partners had slightly greater emotional, but not cognitive, ambivalence toward their former partners, relationship type did not moderate the associations between ambivalence and breakup distress or reconciliation. The findings provide insights on how ambivalence could be incorporated into research on post-dissolution experiences.
The current study explored whether individuals with certain relationship dispositions were more likely to be involved in on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships. A sample of 211 currently dating participants in either on-off or non-cyclical relationships completed an online survey about relationship dispositions (e.g., attachment, implicit beliefs) and positive and negative aspects of relational quality (e.g., satisfaction, commitment, disillusionment). Participants in on-off relationships did not differ from those in non-cyclical relationships with regard to relationship dispositions. Relationship type, however, moderated certain associations between relationship dispositions and relationship qualities showing that the dispositions played a weaker role in relational quality for on-off partners (e.g., the association between growth belief and disillusionment was strong and negative for non-cyclical partners but nonsignificant for on-off partners). Although it was theoretically and practically important to investigate individual differences, interaction dynamics within dyads could be a more prominent factor in explaining on-off relationships.
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