Name of Concept
Romantic disengagement
Synonyms
Disaffection*; Growing apart*; Indifference*; Marital disaffection*
Introduction
Romantic disengagement characterizes the extent to which an individual feels a general sense of psychological and physical distance from their romantic partner. More romantically disengaged individuals experience greater indifference toward their partner and relationship, evidence lower levels of attention to and interest in their partner, and engage in behaviors to increase physical and cognitive distance from their partner (Barry et al. 2008; Kayser 1993). Factor analyses suggest that romantic disengagement is a unique, albeit related, construct compared to high levels of negative and low levels of positive affect and behavior with the partner (Barry et al. 2008; Snyder and Regts 1982).
Theoretical Context for Concept
Most research on romantic disengagement and disaffection has been phenomenological in nature. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barry, R. A., Lawrence, E., & Langer, A. (2008). Conceptualization and assessment of disengagement in romantic relationships. Personal Relationships, 15, 297–315. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2008.00200.x.
Cordova, J. V. (2014). The Marriage Checkup practitioner’s guide: Promoting lifelong relationship health. Washington, DC: APA.
Doherty, W. J., Harris, S. M., & Didericksen, K. W. (2016). A typology of attitudes toward proceeding with divorce among parents in the divorce process. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 56, 1–11.
Hahlweg, K., Schindler, L., Revenstorf, D., & Brengelmann, J. C. (1984). The Munich marital therapy study. In K. Hahlweg & N. S. Jacobson (Eds.), Marital interaction: Analysis and modification (pp. 3–26). New York: Guilford Press.
Hawkins, A. J., Willoughby, B. J., & Doherty, W. J. (2012). Reasons for divorce and openness to marital reconciliation. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 53, 453–463.
Herrington, R. L., Mitchell, A. E., Castellani, A. M., Joseph, J. I., Snyder, D. K., & Gleaves, D. H. (2008). Assessing disharmony and disaffection in intimate relationships: Revision of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory factor scales. Psychological Assessment, 20, 341–350.
Jacobson, N. S., & Christensen, A. (1996). Acceptance and change in couple therapy: A therapist’s guide to transforming relationships. New York: Norton.
Johnson, S. M. (2004). The practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating connection (2nd ed). New York: Taylor & Francis.
Kayser, K. (1993). When love dies: The process of marital disaffection. New York: Guilford Press.
Snyder, D. K., & Regts, J. M. (1982). Factor scales for assessing marital disharmony and disaffection. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 736–743. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.50.5.736.
Whisman, M. A., Dixon, A. E., & Johnson, B. (1997). Therapists’ perspectives of couple problems and treatment issues in couple therapy. Journal of Family Psychology, 11, 361–366. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.11.3.361.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Barry, R.A., Lorenzo, J.M., Singh, R. (2019). Romantic Disengagement. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_795
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_795
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-49423-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-49425-8
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences