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Intrusive thoughts, avoiding intrusive thoughts, and hyperarousal predict romantic breakup distress


Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry
Tiffany Field,1,2 Samantha Poling,1 Shantay Mines,1 Miguel Diego,1,2 Debra Bendell,1 Martha Pelaez3

Abstract

Romantic breakup distress is prevalent and can have severe psychological and physiological effects including symptoms that mimic a heart attack. This Survey Monkey study assessed predictors of Breakup Distress Scale scores including scores on The Impact of Events Scale, The Trauma Symptoms Checklist-38, and The Missing the Partner Scale. A stepwise regression analysis suggested that the scores on The Impact of Events Scale (intrusive thoughts, avoidance of intrusive thoughts, and hyperarousal) explained 59% of the variance in scores on the Breakup Distress Scale. The Trauma Symptoms Checklist-38 scores contributed to another 7% of the variance, and the Missing the Partner Scale scores added another 3% for a total of 69% of the variance. These data suggest that a brief survey including these scales could be used to identify those who might need intervention for romantic breakup distress.

Keywords

intrusive thoughts, avoiding intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal predict romantic breakup, intrusive thoughts, avoiding intrusive thoughts, sexual feelings, unnecessary or over-frequent washing, feelings of inferiority, feeling tense

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