Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown outlines the stages individuals go through when a relationship ends. It begins with the intrapsychic phase of personal dissatisfaction, progresses to the dyadic phase of direct communication, moves through the social phase where issues become public, enters the grave dressing phase for narrative construction, and concludes with the resurrection phase for personal growth.
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Human relationships can be romantic, platonic, or familial
Human relationships are essential to our social fabric and emotional health
Human relationships profoundly influence our emotional health
Psychologist Steve Duck created the Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown
The model outlines the sequential stages individuals typically experience during a relationship breakdown
The model serves as a framework for analyzing the emotional trajectory of a relationship breakdown
The initial stage involves personal reflection and internal debate about the negative aspects of the relationship
The stage of direct communication and attempts to address and resolve issues
The stage where the relationship's problems become public and may lead to the formal dissolution of the relationship
The stage of creating a narrative to rationalize the breakup and achieve closure
The stage of personal growth and learning from past relationship experiences
The model is supported by empirical evidence, such as the findings of personal growth after a breakup
The model provides a systematic framework for understanding the process of relationship breakdown
The model can be applied in therapeutic contexts
The model may be limited by its reliance on retrospective self-reporting and cultural variances in relationship dynamics