The emotional phases of marital separation: an empirical investigation.
The emotional process of marital separation was investigated via the application of Bowlby's theory of loss. Physical separation was found to entail the three phases--wish to recover the lost object, disorganization, and reorganization--proposed by Bowlby. Length of time separated appeared the most powerful factor in emotional resolution. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Gray
C
C
Catholic University, Washington, D.C.
Koopman
E
E
Hunt
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D009769:Object Attachment; D011779:Q-Sort; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology