Relationship disengagement: An examination of the reversal hypothesis

Recent theorists in interpersonal relations have argued that relationship disengagement is simply the relationship growth stage in reverse. This study examined the validity of the so‐called reversal hypothesis by asking undergraduate respondents to recall a friendship and a romantic relationship that had terminated or was in the process of terminating. Respondents made comparative judgments of the relationships’ communication during disengagement as opposed to the period before deterioration. As predicted, the reversal effect was particularized rather than global across communication dimensions. Those aspects of communication most linked to one's interpersonal knowing of the other were least susceptible to reversals. Contrary to prediction, high self‐monitoring respondents did not differ from low self‐monitors in their perceptions of reversal behavior. There was less reversal on the dimension of “Personalized Communication”; in the romantic relationship as opposed to the friendship relationship.