The main purpose of the present study was to investigate whether gender, certain relationship characteristics (time elapsed since the dissolution, being the dissolver or the sufferer part, duration of the relationship, sexuality, the broken relationship being the first relationship ever, any present partner, importance of the relationship, importance of the dissolution), problem solving skills, and self- esteem were predictors of psychological distress following a romantic relationship dissolution. It was also aimed to examine the relationships between some relationship characteristics (duration of the relationship, and time elapsed since the dissolution), and psychological distress. The sample consisted of 213 Middle East Technical University students who were out of a romantic relationship within the last year. The data were gathered by administering Problem Solving Inventory, Brief Symptom Inventory, Rosenberg&rsquo / s Self- Esteem Scale, and Demographic Information Form. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses, and analyses of variance were conducted to test the aims of the study. According to the results of the study, the importance of the dissolution, the status of any present partner, time elapsed since the dissolution, impulsive style of problem solving skills, and self- esteem were found as significant predictors of psychological distress following a romantic relationship dissolution. On the other hand, it was found that gender, duration of the relationship, sexuality, being the dissolver or the sufferer, importance of the relationship, the broken relationship being the first relationship ever, and and the remaining five subscales (reflective style, avoidant style, monitoring, problem- solving confidence, planfulness) of problem solving skills did not emerge as significant predictors of psychological distress. In addition, time elapsed since the dissolution yielded significant effect on depression. The findings of the study were discussed in the light of the relevant literature.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2018) defines heartbreak as “crushing grief, anguish or distress.” Heartbreak can lead to biological, psychological and social responses and consequences. Heartbreak from the dissolution of a romantic relationship is a form of disenfranchised grief, which is defined as the griever’s belief that society does not recognize their source of grief as legitimate (Doka, 1989). The literature shows that talking about grief helps those who experience it (Fisher & Archer, 2008). Hence, the present study sought to provide a consensus of the best practices that marriage and family therapists have utilized to help broken-hearted clients. I employed a modification of the Delphi technique, a research method which seeks to reach consensus on a topic through group communication between experts in the subject area discussed (Hsu & Sandford, 2007) in order to gather data about best practices from marriage and family therapists on how they have helped their broken-hearted clients. This study consisted of a total of 20 experts, who are licensed marriage and family therapists. The findings suggest that the disenfranchisement of the grief resulting from the dissolution of a romantic relationship is closely associated with the symptom of sadness experienced by the broken-hearted. In addition, the way in which MFTs can help the disenfranchised griever is by providing an empathic presence in sessions, generating historical conversations through the use of a genogram, involving family members in the therapeutic process and having future oriented conversations. The results of this study have illustrated a plethora of techniques and best practices that have reportedly proven successful in helping the broken-hearted client.