Neglected side of romantic relationships among college students: Breakup initiators are at risk for depression

• Published date: 01 October 2022
• Author: Mehdi Akbari,Jichan J. Kim,Mohammad Seydavi,Robert D. Enright,Shahram Mohammadkhani
• Date: 01 October 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12682

RESEARCH

Neglected side of romantic relationships among

college students: Breakup initiators are at risk for

depression

Mehdi Akbari

1

|Jichan J. Kim

2

|Mohammad Seydavi

1

|

Robert D. Enright

3

|Shahram Mohammadkhani

1

1

Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2

Department of Psychology, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, United States

3

Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and International Forgiveness Institute, Inc., Madison,

Wisconsin, United States

Correspondence

Mehdi Akbari, Department of Clinical

Psychology, Kharazmi University, No. 43.

South Mofatteh Avenue, Tehran 15719-14911,

Iran.

Email: m.akbari@khu.ac.ir

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the mediating role

of self-compassion and self-forgiveness among college stu-

dents who initiated a romantic breakup.

Backgrounds: The focus of research on romantic relation-

ship breakups is typically on the rejected partner, while the

initiator (responsible or rejector) of the breakup is

neglected. To fully understand the romantic relationship

breakup, we must look at this event as a whole.

Method: College students across eight universities

(N=464) who sought treatment for depression at univer-

sity psychological service centers after initiation of a

romantic breakup were referred for possible inclusion in

the research. Of these referred students, 347 (women =68%,

mean age =22.62 3.69 years, range: 18–35) fulfilled the

inclusion criteria and completed a battery of question-

naires (Enright Self-Forgiveness Inventory, Self-

Compassion Scale-Short Form, Breakup Distress Scale,

and Beck Depression Inventory—II). Structural equation

modeling was used to evaluate the hypothesized mediation

model.

Results: We found a strong association between breakup

distress and depressive symptoms among romantic

breakup initiators mediated by self-compassion and self-

forgiveness. Self-compassion influenced the mediating role

of self-forgiveness between breakup distress and depressive

symptoms (R

2

=58%).

Received: 1 April 2021Revised: 3 December 2021Accepted: 17 January 2022

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12682

© 2022 National Council on Family Relations.

1698 Family Relations. 2022;71:1698–1712.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare