Emotional pain in context: a focus on young adults' emotional experiences following relationship breakup.

Abstract

Background: Social relationships contribute significantly to young adults’ well-being, and relationship breakups are likely to result in emotional pain and suicidal behaviours. Yet emotional pain as a construct has received little attention in the African context. The quantitative study investigated the relatedness of selected psychosocial variables and the differences in sociodemographic variables in relation to indicators of mental health,protective factors and coping strategies following relationship breakup among young adults. Based on the findings of the quantitative study, the qualitative study explored the experiences of emotional pain following relationship breakup among young adults and its impact on their mental health and well-being as well as coping strategies used. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-method was employed in which a quantitative cross-sectional survey was followed by a qualitative study. The conveniently sampled participants for the survey were young adults from a tertiary institution in Ghana (n = 330). Young adults (n = 16) were sampled purposively for in-depth interviews for the qualitative study. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Further, the relationship between variables was established using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi Square tests, Mean tests were used to test the mean score differences between groups on the measure used. Standard Multiple Regression and Hierarchical Multiple Regression was used to assess the best predictors of emotional pain and suicidal behaviours while Hayes SPSS Process Macro was used to test for mediating variables of mental health, protective factors, and coping strategies between emotional pain, psychological distress and mental wellbeing. The Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) was used in analysing the qualitative data. Results: Quantitative findings revealed that participants experienced suicidal behaviours following relationship breakup, particularly for romantic relationships. A significant positive relationship between unbearable emotional pain and poor mental health outcomes was noted. Protective factors such as emotional pain awareness, and emotional display and effective coping strategies significantly lessened these. Participants who experienced romantic relationship breakup reported a higher level of unbearable emotional pain, psychological distress, and greater risk of suicide while those who reported interrelationship breakup had a higher level of emotional awareness. Females were more forgiving and used more active coping strategies following relationship breakup. Active coping and disengagement coping were significant mediators in the relationship between unbearable emotional pain and mental well-being. Active coping, disengagement coping, unbearable emotional pain, and emotional suppression were significant mediators in the relationship between psychological distress and mental well-being. Emotional pain awareness only mediated the relationship between psychological distress and unbearable emotional pain. The qualitative finding revealed that emotional pain was conceptualized as physical or psychological distress among participants. Also, both personal and socio-cultural factors contributed to the experience of emotional pain in the event of a relationship breakup. The experience of emotional pain was perceived to have a physical and emotional impact. Finally,emotion- and problem- focused coping strategies were employed in dealing with the experience of emotional pain following relationship breakup. Conclusion and Recommendation: The findings of this study have delineated a pathway to poor mental health and well-being as well as suicidal behaviours. Relationship breakup lessens mental health and well-being and increases suicidal risk and behaviours. Emotional pain awareness, emotional expression and one’s coping strategies could protect mental health following relationship breakup. Psychosocial support including therapy should foster greater emotional awareness, expression and coping strategies. Finally, intervention programmes should be holistic focusing on mental health promotion education regarding managing relationship breakup and skills building in positive coping strategies for mental distress to improve the wellbeing of young adults facing relationship breakdown and general mental distress.