Retrospective analysis of previous relationship disengagement and current and current attachment style

This study examined attachment styles and disengagement strategies used to end romantic relationships for 213 college students. The research predicted differences between attributions about the cause of the breakup and who initiated the breakup. The study also predicted differences in reports about the use of disengagement strategies, depending upon a person's attachment style and whom they attributed as the initiator of the breakup. People more frequently attributed the cause of breakups to situational factors than to the other person; and least frequently, to self. Persons who perceived they caused the breakup more frequently perceived they also initiated the breakup. Some of the hypothesized differences in reports about the use of disengagement strategies for persons with different attachment styles and different attributions of who initiated the breakup were observed for positive‐tone, behavioral de‐escalation, and negative identity management strategies. Leniency in self‐attributions was detected in higher reports of self‐use of justification strategies and lower reports of self‐use of behavioral de‐escalation.

Key concepts:

• relationship disengagement disengagement strategies
• attachment style
• attachment theory
• attribution theory
• relationship termination