Dissolution of romantic relationship... females\u27 experience of guilt.

This study was designed to describe the experience of guilt of female initiators in a dissolution of a romantic relationship. It dealt with the perceived causes, effects, manifestations and the realizations of the initiators with the experience of guilt. The focus group discussion was the preliminary method used. It was followed by the in-depth interview with thirteen (13) initiators who were obtained through purposive and chain referral techniques. The data gathered from the interview was subjected to content analyis. The research found that guilt originates from an awareness of the initiator that she has done something that has hurt the rejected partner. It arises in situations where there is inequality, violation of personal and/or social standards and self-attribution of negative outcomes. Guilt served enhancing relationship patterns between the rejected partner and the initiator when the initiator did some reparative actions such as confessing, seeking for forgiveness and treating the rejected partner positively. The negative effects of guilt, as seen in the study were depression, isolation (withdrawal of self), and self devaluation. The study also showed that there are different ways alleviating with guilt such as justification, avoidance, repression, and undoing. The initiators in the study also realized after feeling guilty that they should not blame themselves too much and that they should be careful with the decisions they make