During recent research, a new analysis of people who underwent different types of relationship loss found that these experiences were linked with different patterns of short- and long-term sense of control following the loss.
Eva Asselmann of the HMU Health and Medical University in Potsdam,
Germany, and Jule Specht of Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Germany,
presented these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
Previous research has shown that a greater perceived sense of personal control
over one’s life is associated with better well-being and better health. Romantic
relationships are closely linked to perceived control; for instance, evidence
suggests a link between perceived control and better relationship satisfaction.
However, less is known about how the loss of a relationship might be linked to
changes in perceived control.
To shed new light, Asselmann and Specht analyzed data from three-tire points
in a multi-decade study of households in Germany. Specifically, they used
yearly questionnaire results from 1994, 1995, and 1996 to evaluate changes in
perceived control for 1,235 people who experienced separation from their
partner, 423 who divorced, and 437 whose partners passed away.
Statistical analysis of the questionnaire results suggests that, overall, people
who experienced separation from their partner experienced a drop in perceived
control in the first year after separation, followed by a gradual increase in later
years.
After separation, women were more likely than men to have a decline in
their sense of control, while younger people had an increased sense of control
compared to older people.
People whose partners passed away had an overall increase in perceived
control during the first year post-loss, followed by a continued boost in
perceived control compared to the period before the death. However,
compared to older people, younger people experienced more detrimental
effects of partner death on their sense of control.
The analysis found no links between divorce and perceived control. The researchers call for future investigations to track people who have not yet
experienced relationship loss and evaluate changes in perceived control when
a loss occurs. They also call for research into the mechanisms that underlie
post-loss changes in perceived control.
The authors added: “Our findings suggest that people sometimes grow from
stressful experiences – at least regarding specific personality characteristics. In
the years after losing a romantic partner, participants in our study became
increasingly convinced of their ability to influence their life and future by their
own behaviour. Their experience enabled them to deal with adversity and
manage their life independently, which allowed them to grow.”
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