Risk and vulnerability factors of breakup distress in young adults

Objective: To identify the risk and protective factors in young adults experiencing breakup distress in Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology: It was a quantitative study with correlational research design and included 142 participants (75 women; 6 7 men)who experienced romantic relationship breakup and were studying in university. They were selected through purposive sampling with the mean age of 21.12 (SD=2.49). All participants were given the protocol comprising Romantic Relationship Breakup; EMBU_A (My Memories of Upbringing) and demographic variables. Results: Paternal Rejection and Overprotection were found to be highly significant for increasing the risks of distress associated with romantic relationship breakup in young adults. Also, the women are more vulnerable to experience psychosocial distress after romantic relationships breakup. Conclusion: The breakup distress variation is determined by numerous risk and protective factors particularly parental practices. Thus, it's imperative to identify those factors to reduce the distress associated with breakup in adults.