[00:00:00] We humans love romance. Having successful romantic relationships enhances life and lengthens lives. Yet breaking up is difficult. Why are some breakups harder leaving us feeling more regret for the failed romances than others? Does blame and choosing to act or not shape regret in a breakup? Previous research shows ending a relationship often causes more regret than staying in it. Researchers asked in failed romances, do gender differences influence how blaming oneself or one's partner for the breakup affects reject regret for the failed romances? They compare 250 college students in different hypothetical romantic situations on blaming self or others, acting or not acting to cause the breakup, and gender results. There were no gender differences. When people blame themselves for a failed relationship, breaking up in action led to more regret than staying in the relationship in action. However, when people blame the other person for the failed relationship, their level of regret was the same whether they stayed in the relationship in action or acted and broke up inevitably. Regret is common in failed relationships. Be prepared for and learn from it. Do not let it deter you from trying again to build a new positive relationship.
