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Personality Growth after Relationship Losses: Changes of Perceived Control in the Years around Separation, Divorce, and the Death of a Partner

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  • Eva Asselmann
  • Jule Specht

Abstract

Background: Previous research suggests that romantic relationships play a crucial role for perceived control. However, we know surprisingly little about changes in perceived control before and after the end of romantic relationships. Methods: Based on data from the Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), a nationally representative household panel study from Germany, we examined changes of perceived control in the years around separation from a partner (N = 1,235), divorce (N = 423), and the death of a partner (N = 437). Results: Multilevel analyses revealed that external control beliefs were higher in but not beyond the first year after separation from a partner. Internal and total control beliefs increased gradually in the years after separation. Moreover, internal control beliefs were higher in and especially beyond the first year after the death of a partner compared to the years before. No evidence was found that perceived control already changed in the years before relationship losses or in the years around a divorce. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings point toward stress-related growth of perceived control after some relationship losses-especially separation and the death of a partner.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva Asselmann & Jule Specht, 2022. "Personality Growth after Relationship Losses: Changes of Perceived Control in the Years around Separation, Divorce, and the Death of a Partner," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1172, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp1172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Denis Gerstorf & Christina Röcke & Margie E. Lachman, 2010. "Antecedent--Consequent Relations of Perceived Control to Health and Social Support: Longitudinal Evidence for Between-Domain Associations Across Adulthood," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(1), pages 61-71.
    2. Deborah A. Cobb‐Clark & Stefanie Schurer, 2013. "Two Economists' Musings on the Stability of Locus of Control," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 0, pages 358-400, August.
    3. Preuss, Malte & Hennecke, Juliane, 2017. "Biased by success and failure: How unemployment shapes stated locus of control," Discussion Papers 2017/29, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    4. Eva Asselmann & Jule Specht, 2020. "Taking the Ups and Downs at the Rollercoaster of Love: Associations between Major Relationship Events and the Big Five Personality Traits," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1100, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    5. Rachel G Curtis & Oliver Huxhold & Tim D Windsor, 2018. "Perceived Control and Social Activity in Midlife and Older Age: A Reciprocal Association? Findings From the German Ageing Survey," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(5), pages 807-815.
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    1. Olivia Jean Arcangeli & Anastasia Ejova, 2025. "Does Time Heal All Wounds? Life Satisfaction Trajectories in Australian Middle-Aged Women Before and After Relationship Dissolution," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 1-36, March.

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