PREMARITAL BREAKUPS IN A TURKISH SAMPLE: PERCEIVED REASONS,ATTRIBUTIONAL DIMENSIONS AND AFFECTIVE REACTIONS

The present study aimed to investigate the causal attributional dimensions used in the dissolution of premarital romantic relationships by using the subjects' own ratings, and to examine cultural influences on such dimensions. Twenty-two items tapping dimensions revealed by previous research were prepared and administered to 135 Turkish students who have broken up a relationship within the past year. Respondents' ratings of their perceived principal reason for dissolution were subjected to factor analysis which revealed the following six factors: self-control, partner's control, control external to the relationship, partner's lack of caring, instability, and transitoriness. The relationship between negative emotional reaction to the breakup and attributional dimensions and other dating-related variables revealed that the intensity of involvement and attributing the dissolution to external factors increases, whereas, initiating the breakup decreases the negative emotional impact of such an experience. The results of the study were greatly overlapping with the findings reported in the western literature. The implications of the results were discussed in relation to research in heterosexual relationships.