Lefebvre, Blackburn and Brody

Year

2014

Aim

To apply Rollie and Duck’s (2006) relationship dissolution

model to investigate how Facebook users behave online

both during and after a break-up.

Participants

226 college students.

Procedure

Participants completed an online survey that asked open-

ended questions about a romantic relationship that had

ended within the past two years. They rated the seriousness

of that relationship, the frequency of face-to-face and

online communication with the partner, reported on online

communication with the partner and behaviours that

occurred both during and after the break-up.

Inductive content analysis was used to analyse data.

Results

Researchers identified the most common online behaviours

both during and after the break-up.

• During relationship dissolution: participants

minimized their Facebook activity; cleared away the

presence of their partner by removing their Facebook

relationship status, untagging or deleting wall postings

and pictures, and hiding other public displays of

affection; observed online actions of their partners

• After relationship dissolution: participants continued

getting rid of the unwanted remains such as previous

wall postings or other visible connections to their

ex-partner. Some participants defriended, deleted or

blocked Facebook access to their ex-partner and some of

the associated social network. Impression management

behaviours also became prominent. These included

positive online self-presentation. Many behaviours were

aimed to evoke jealousy or regret from previous partners.

Conclusion

Researchers claim that the results of this study support

Rollie and Duck’s (2006) model of relationship dissolution,