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Well-being and resilience against oppressive narratives after romantic dissolution
Pilar Lopez-Cantero1, Carme Isern-Mas2
1Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. pilar.lopezcantero@uantwerpen.be.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Societal narratives impact well-being after breakups, challenging the idea that men suffer more. Resilience and group belonging, not gender, predict post-relationship well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Oppressive societal narratives can negatively affect individual well-being.
- Research on fear of being single offers insights into relationship dissolution outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the claim that men suffer more than women after romantic dissolutions.
- To propose an alternative framework for understanding well-being post-relationship.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing research on societal narratives and fear of being single.
- It analyzes the psychological impact of relationship dissolution.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests that negative societal narratives, like the fear of being single, contradict the notion of greater male suffering post-breakup.
- Well-being after romantic dissolution is influenced by social group membership and resilience.
Conclusions:
- Gender is not the primary determinant of well-being following romantic dissolution.
- Marginalized group status and social resilience capacity are key factors influencing post-breakup adjustment.
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