London - Conventional wisdom is that people should not move on too fast from a previous lover, a new study has found those who do move on quickly are emotionally better off.
The study by researchers at City University of New York and the University of Illinois discovered people who entered into a rebound relationship – defined as a relationship in which the individual still has romantic attachments to their ex-partner – were happier and had healthier relationships.
The findings also showed people in new relationships were more confident and felt more attractive than those left trying to get over the heartbreak alone.
It has been previously thought to be healthier to not enter into a new relationship while still harbouring feelings for an ex, but the study effectively proves rebound relationships may be more psychologically beneficial than typically thought.
The study also proved that the quicker people move on, not only are they personally happier, but they can also have happier relationships.
Very little psychological research has been carried out into the benefits of moving on quickly before, but in the two studies carried out by both universities the people who had moved on quickly were “more confident of their desirability and had more resolution over their ex-partner”.
The study assessed the people’s well-being, their feelings about their ex-partner, and whether they were seeing someone new.
Claudia Brumbaugh, of the department of psychology at City University of New York, said: “A ‘rebound relationship’ is commonly understood as a relationship that is initiated shortly after a romantic breakup – before the feelings about the former relationship have been resolved.
“In two studies we examined people who experienced a breakup and assessed their well-being, their feelings about their ex-partner, and whether they were seeing someone new.
“Analyses indicated that people in new relationships were more confident of their desirability and had more resolution over their ex-partner.
“Among those in new relationships, the speed with which they began their relationship was associated with greater psychological and relational health. Overall, these findings suggest that rebound relationships may be more beneficial than typically believed.” – Daily Mail