The Breakdown Model (Rollie & Duck 2006)

The Breakdown Model (Rollie & Duck 2006)

1. 1. Intrapsychic Phase

   • Re-evaluation of alternatives to the relationship
   • Social withdrawal 'rumination'
   • Resentment, brooding on partner's faults and relational costs
   • Threshold: 'I can't stand this anymore'
   • Nothing is said to the partner although dissatisfaction may be expressed in other ways (e.g. diary entry)
   • This is an individual process

2. 2. Dyadic Phase

   • Uncertainty, anxiety, hostility, complaints, discussion of issues
   • Talk about 'our relationship', equity, roles etc
   • Resentment of goals, possibilities
   • Threshold: 'I mean it'
   • People confront their partner & begin to discuss their feelings & the future
   • At this stage the relationship might be saved, or partners begin to involve others with their dissatisfaction with the relationship

3. 3. Social Phase

   • Going public, support seeking, denigration of partner
   • Alliance building
   • Social commitment, outside forces create cohesion
   • Threshold: 'This is now inevitable'
   • Spills over to the network of friend & family
   • Others may take sides, offer advice & support or may helping in mending any disputes
   • This involvement may even speed up the partners towards dissolution

4. 4. Grave Dressing Phase

   • Tidying up memories, making relational histories (e.g. deciding how you feel)
   • Stories prepared for different audiences
   • Threshold: 'Time to get a new life'
   • Partners strive to construct a representation of the failed relationship that doesn't paint their contributions to it in an unfavourable light
   • People may strategically reinterpret their view of the partner

5. 5. Resurrection Phase

   • Recreating sense of own social value
   • Defining what to get out of future relationships
   • Preparation for future relationships
   • Each partner prepares themselves for new relationships by redefining themselves & building on past mistakes & experiences