Relação entre rutura amorosa e a teoria triangular do amor

Abstract

Romantic relationships are considered a fundamental part of any individual's personal development, playing a significant role in the maturation and development of human life. However, despite this importance, romantic relationships present challenges for those who experience them, one of these challenges being the experience of a romantic breakup. Although the experience of a breakup is common, it is also painful. A breakup is a complex phenomenon that involves the dissolution of a romantic bond and triggers a range of emotional and behavioral responses. This work aims to analyze the relationship between the components of the triangular theory of love and the emotional experiences resulting from a romantic breakup, with the intention of understanding how different types of love influence postbreakup suffering and identifying factors that can reduce or intensify this suffering in adult individuals. These constructs were assessed using the Breakup Distress Scale and the Triangular Love Scale. The results revealed a good fit of the scales used. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable adjustment indices for the Breakup Distress Scale and a good fit to the sample in the case of the Triangular Love Scale. Reliability was adequate, with high Cronbach's alpha values for the Breakup Distress Scale and the Triangular Love Scale. All dimensions of the Triangular Love Scale correlate significantly, negatively and weakly/moderately with the Breakup Distress Scale. Furthermore, sociodemographic analyses showed that there are no statistically significant differences between men and women in terms of total Breakup Distress, nor significant correlations with age or education. This study contributed to a better understanding of the suffering experienced after the dissolution of a romantic relationship marked by intense love, highlighting the usefulness of instruments in investigating the emotional dynamics associated with romantic breakups.

Date of Award	16 Jan 2026
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ângela Leite (Supervisor)