Lexington Books Grief and Romantic Relationship Dissolution

In Grief and Romantic Relationship Dissolution, Shawn Blue explores the grief and loss associated with divorce and romantic breakups. Using a model of love and attachment theory, Blue sets a foundation for how connection leads to loss when an attachment relationship is ended and analyzes the various consequences of grief as the result of dissolution on the individual. She devotes special attention to the role of technology on romantic relationship development and makes speculations of the grief that is experienced by relationships created online when they end. Finally, she utilizes and applies case material to illustrate the grief process and incorporates the influence of media in the understanding of loss related to the ending of attachment relationships. This book is recommended for scholars in psychology, communication studies, and media studies. Review Necessary and insightful given today's social media landscape and how it has modified the way in which we connect romantically. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to better understand the how and why behind their own behavior in a relationship.--Nicole Lipkin, Equilibria Leadership Consulting; author of What Keeps Leaders Up at Night Grief and Romantic Relationship Dissolution is a thorough and astute review of the literature as it pertains to break-ups and divorce. Dr. Blue covers the topic with broad strokes and from many angles, covering attachment theory, grief models, neurobiology, to social media, cultural differences, and LGBTQ perspectives. This book is sure to appeal to a large audience given the universal experience of romantic relationships that end, but is a 'must-read' for therapists and other mental health clinicians working with clients.--Deanna Nobleza, Thomas Jefferson University This book will help clinicians develop a better understanding of the biopsychosocial importance of relationships and attachments. It is an excellent guide for helping patients work through the grief that they experience after any significant loss in their lives.--James Hagenbaugh, Thomas Jefferson University With an encyclopedic coverage of literature on romantic love, Shawn Blue offers a deep and thorough study of the grief consequent upon the break-up of such relationships. She elucidates the complexity, poignancy, and gravity of ruptured attachments and shines light on healthier ways of coping with them. Her observations also forge links between erotic disappointment and other forms of loss, enhance empathy with all those in mourning, and enrich therapeutic skills for dealing with overwhelming heartbreaks and maladaptive defenses against the anguish they cause.--Salman Akhtar, MD, Jefferson Medical College About the Author Shawn Blue, PsyD, is licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.