Rebound (dating)
Encyclopedia
A rebound is an undefined period following the break up
of a romantic relationship
. The term's use dates to at least the 1830s, when Mary Russell Mitford
wrote of "nothing so easy as catching a heart on the rebound". The term may also refer to a romantic relationship that a person has during the rebound period, or to the partner in such a relationship.
Someone who is "on the rebound," or recently out of a serious dating relationship, is popularly believed to be psychologically incapable of making reasonable decisions regarding suitable partners due to emotional neediness, lingering feelings towards the old partner, or unresolved problems from the previous relationship. Rebound relationships are believed to be short-lived due to one partner's emotional instability and desire to distract themselves from a painful break up, and those emerging from serious relationships are often advised to avoid serious dating until their tumultuous emotions have calmed.
found no evidence supporting the veracity of popular "rebound" beliefs [what beliefs?] for the recently divorced, but did not examine rebounds and dating.
Relationship breakup
A relationship breakup, often referred to simply as a breakup, is the termination of a usually intimate relationship by any means other than death. The act is commonly termed "dumping [someone]" in slang when it is initiated by one partner...
of a romantic relationship
Intimate relationship
An intimate relationship is a particularly close interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional intimacy. Physical intimacy is characterized by romantic or passionate love and attachment, or sexual activity. The term is also sometimes used euphemistically for a sexual...
. The term's use dates to at least the 1830s, when Mary Russell Mitford
Mary Russell Mitford
Mary Russell Mitford , was an English author and dramatist. She was born at Alresford, Hampshire. Her place in English literature is as the author of Our Village...
wrote of "nothing so easy as catching a heart on the rebound". The term may also refer to a romantic relationship that a person has during the rebound period, or to the partner in such a relationship.
Someone who is "on the rebound," or recently out of a serious dating relationship, is popularly believed to be psychologically incapable of making reasonable decisions regarding suitable partners due to emotional neediness, lingering feelings towards the old partner, or unresolved problems from the previous relationship. Rebound relationships are believed to be short-lived due to one partner's emotional instability and desire to distract themselves from a painful break up, and those emerging from serious relationships are often advised to avoid serious dating until their tumultuous emotions have calmed.
Studies of the Rebound Effect
A 2006 study from Princeton UniversityPrinceton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
found no evidence supporting the veracity of popular "rebound" beliefs [what beliefs?] for the recently divorced, but did not examine rebounds and dating.