Exploring the role of relationship characteristics, maladaptive interpersonal dependency, and social environment on grief and depression symptoms in university students following romantic relationship dissolution

The purpose of the current study was to examine the role of dissolved romantic relationship characteristics, maladaptive interpersonal dependency, and social components (social constraints and perceived social support) on the grief and depression reactions of university students who experienced a romantic relationship dissolution. In the present study, a quantitative, non-experimental, and correlational research method was used, and the current study has a cross-sectional research design. The sample of the current study consisted of 269 university students, who had experienced a romantic relationship dissolution for at least 2 weeks and at most 2 years. Interpersonal Dependency Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, the revised version of the Social Constraint Scale and the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief, and Beck Depression Inventory were used to obtain data from the participants. The findings showed that the relationship characteristics (except the length of the relationship) predicted grief severity in the expected direction, but none of the relationship characteristics variables significantly predicted depression. Moreover, as maladaptive interpersonal dependency characteristics and social constraints increased, the severity of grief and depression increased. Finally, perceived social support was found to negatively predict depression, but not significantly predict grief severity. The findings of the study were discussed within the framework of the literature and specific theories and recommendations for mental health services were presented.