Soften the blow, avoid confrontation, take a break: Three strategies that people use to terminate an intimate relationship

The study explores how individuals end intimate relationships, a topic with limited research. Using an evolutionary framework, the research identified strategies for terminating unsatisfactory relationships. Initially, qualitative methods with 228 Greek-speaking participants (122 women, 105 men) revealed 45 distinct acts used to end relationships. These acts were then categorized into nine broad strategies through quantitative methods with 392 participants (185 women, 201 men, two identifying as ‘other,’ and four unspecified). Three main strategies emerged: “Soften the blow”: This was the most preferred strategy, involving explaining the breakup reasons, taking responsibility, and convincing the partner that separation is beneficial for both. “Take a break”: The second most used strategy, where individuals express a desire for a temporary separation to reassess feelings. “Avoid confrontation”: The least preferred strategy, involving gradually fading away or disappearing without explanation. The study found that the use of these strategies was generally consistent across different sexes, age groups, and personality types. In conclusion, people employ three main strategies and at least nine sub-strategies to end intimate relationships.