The debate over ‘the rebound’ is a question that has plagued both men and women since the world’s first break up.
Everyone has an opinion on whether rebounds are a healthy way to get over a past relationship. Is it really a valid coping mechanism? Will it bring more harm than good? How soon is too soon to jump into bed with someone else?
While even psychological experts are divided on this issue, the journal article published in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, ‘Too fast, too soon? An empirical investigation into rebound relationships” suggests that it may be beneficial for one’s mental health and wellbeing.
So, what exactly is a rebound? The authors define a rebound as a relationship that starts before feelings about a previous relationship are over, or before “closure” over a previous relationship.
Here’s the kicker. The research indicates that people who entered a rebound relationship more quickly than others had greater overall mental and physical health. They also experienced better confidence in their desirability, and resolution towards their previous relationship.
“People who were fast to rebound experienced some personally beneficial out-comes such as high self-esteem, but their new relationship outcomes and feelings toward their ex-partner were more ambiguous,” it said.
Why is this? By getting back on the horse, so to speak, it proves to the individual that they are a desirable partner in the eyes of others and that their previous relationship is not representative of their romantic future.
What’s more, “in terms of the new relationship, there was some evidence that they saw and respected their new partner more, possibly because they felt fortunate to have someone during their post-breakup period” said the research paper.
“However, as for their current feelings about their previous partner, individuals who were quick to rebound appeared to be still somewhat enmeshed in their past relationship”.
Another journal article from the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, “On the Rebound: Focusing on Someone New Helps Anxiously Attached Individuals Let Go of Ex-Partners” indicates that focusing on someone new can help people recover from the negative effects of a breakup.
A breakup causes an emotional and physical gap and a rebound can be a solution.
A partner can not only supply the physical and sexual needs that were lost through their physical presence. If a new partner is in some way similar to an ex, feelings of attachment can naturally transfer towards a new partner without a large investment of time.
This means that rebounds are not just good to replace and satiate one’s newly single sexual needs, they can also fill a social and emotional void.
Of course, no woman should rely on a partner for life happiness, the moral of this story is that they no longer need to feel guilty for wanting to get back into the dating world soon after a breakup.
