Should you stay in touch with your ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend? Relationship advice, Research-based

Should you talk to your ex or stay away? Difficult question! Lots of factors to take into account. Interesting topic after seeing the Joey Graceffa break up video.
I dove into some new research to make your decision a bit easier!
Good luck!

Kenneth

- Main source of information (shout-out to the researchers!):

O’Hara, K.L., Grinberg, A.M., Tackman, A.M., Mehl, MR., & Sbarra, D.A. Contact with an ex-partner is associated with psychological distress after marital separation. Clinical Psychological Science, 8(3), 450-463.

- Other references:

Brown, P., Felton, B. J., Whiteman, V., Manela, R. (1980). Attachment and distress following marital separation. Journal of Divorce, 3, 303–317.

Mason, A., Sbarra, D., Bryan, A., Lee, L. (2012). Staying connected when coming apart: The psychological correlates of contact and sex with an ex-partner. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 31, 488–507.

Rhoades, G. K., Kamp Dush, C. M., Atkins, D. C., Stanley, S. M., Markman, H. J. (2011). Breaking up is hard to do: The impact of unmarried relationship dissolution on mental health and life satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 25, 366–374.

Sbarra, D. A., Emery, R. E. (2005a). Coparenting conflict, nonacceptance, and depression among divorced adults: Results from a 12-year follow-up study of child custody mediation using multiple imputation. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 75, 63–75.

#relationshipadvice #contactex #simplypsyched

[casebycase_]

I didn't even bother blocking my ex, because even that felt like reacting. But some toxic people can't let go, but can't even treat you right. My suggestion is just don't react. Don't keep in touch, dont even block, just ignore, because no message is the strongest message. Whatever, if it was something good, it wouldn't have ended lol Cut your 'losses' and carry on with healing, soon you will realize you haven't lost much!

[theresachiorazzi]

If it was any good it never would have ended New supplies are always in the wings Some things and people never change.

[herbertvonsauerkrautunterh]

My ex said we can still be friends. I said no. Men and women can't be friends like that. Especially after years of being intimate.. i don't see her as a friend, i see her as my lover..

[luisrosario]

Exactly what I needed after my wife divorced me and left me for someone else all of a sudden. You are right, contacting the ex is never a good idea. I was doing fine for weeks ignoring texts, and when I decided to answer, I was just left heartbroken again, so don't do that.

[DMG]

If you could set clear boundaries with this person you wouldn't have broken up.
Live and learn.

[katst]

In general no. However, if both remained civilized communication from time to time can be ok. That is rare. Rule of the thumb, learn to move in and focus on positive things in life.

[sterlingarcher]

I keep in touch with 1 ex. My first "serious" gf. She was Beautiful a yr older than me. Very religious. Very prim and proper. Honestly. I knew she was supposed to marry a preacher and do missionary work. I was not her guy. She sat me down one day and said. "My mother and I have spoken and we think you would be the best guy to take my virginity". Nope. God ain't striking me down. We broke up. I feel bad she married the next guy. 27 yrs of hell before she broke her vows and divorced him. We hang out occasionally now. Still not the man for her as she inquired. Nope. God ain't striking me down.

[charlettehall]

Unless you have a child with this person there is no reason why you should.

[saynotohookups]

Never. Unless after the break-up you find out that you have an STD that you got from him or if he got you pregnant.

[justbeyourself]

Mine was my dream. He valued his phone. Mine contacted me after three months of leaving me and was doing the no contact which i did not deserve. I'm sure he followed videos. Hope that worked for you . I'm done

[vinodreddy]

What if she reminds me her birthday and asked me to present some books . Is she still interested on me ?
She just checking on me ? I m very very confused. She comes and texts and sometimes calls me every now and then and then ghosts for next one or two months .

What kind of behavir is this

[stoneyweasel]

No if it's 1sided and toxic hell no