Post-Breakup Unwanted Pursuit 1 Running head: POST-BREAKUP UNWANTED PURSUIT Post-Breakup Unwanted Pursuit: A Refined Analysis of the Role of Romantic Relationship Characteristics

This study re-examined the role of romantic relationship characteristics in unwanted pursuit behavior (UPB) perpetration. Relationship characteristics were investigated accounting for the role of significant breakup characteristics, using data of 396 legally divorced adults and advanced count regressions. Except conflict, the main effects of characteristics of the former relationship didn’t contribute explained variance to the frequency of UPBs when controlling for the effects of significant breakup characteristics (initiator status and post-breakup negative affect). However, moderator analyses--investigating the interactions between relationship and breakup characteristics--did reveal significant effects of relationship satisfaction, alternatives, investments, and anxious attachment in interaction with initiator status and of relationship alternatives in interaction with post-breakup negative affect. These findings illustrate that the association between relationship characteristics and UPB perpetration is more complex than previously thought and are theoretically and clinically valuable.