ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights cases with darker concepts like mental illness, verbal and physical abuse, and the breakdown of relationships. For instance, research suggests that the quality and quantity of social interaction contributes to healing and adjustment for those dealing with severe and persistent mental illness. In a study on deployment, communication with loved ones, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), researchers discovered that having more secure interpersonal relationships, more community support, and ways to deal with worry contributed to helping soldiers with PTSD. The use of person-centered messages, nonverbal immediacy, and emotional support constitute important behaviors that contribute to short and long term relationship health. The Relationship Breakdown model consists of five phases that focus on the relationship between cognition and communication during the dissolution process and includes the dyad's social networks and their communication. The dissolution process begins when there is communication breakdown and dissatisfaction with the relationship.
