Malicious,Uncertain,or Benign? Associations Between Intentions and Unwanted Pursuit Behaviors Following Relationship Dissolution

Abstract

Prior research indicates that many young adults pursue former partners after their relationships end, and a growing scholarship has examined potential motives for pursuit by studying correlates of pursuit behaviors (e.g., prior violence, rumination, breakup distress, possessiveness/control). However, few studies have directly assessed pursuers’ self-reported motives and whether motives are associated with the frequency of pursuit behaviors. Among a sample of undergraduate students who pursued their former partners (n = 654), results of the present study indicated that, while most pursuers reported benign intent (88.2%), some reported malicious intent (7.2%), while others were uncertain of their intent (4.6%). Compared to those with benign intent, those with malicious intent and uncertain intent reported more frequent engagement in minor and severe pursuit, and more breakup distress, possessiveness, and prior relationship violence. Further, when added to a regression model with other correlates of pursuit, intent was uniquely associated with minor and severe pursuit and moderated effects of some pursuit correlates. Specifically, possessiveness was more strongly associated with both minor and severe pursuit frequency among those with malicious/uncertain intent compared to those with benign intent. Further, prior IPV was more strongly associated with severe pursuit frequency among those with malicious/uncertain intent compared to benign intent. Overall, examining self-reported intentions appears feasible and may provide additional insight into pursuers’ motives. Implications for research and practice are discussed.