This
is why role transitions can lead to depression as people struggle to define
themselves in their new role.
Role
Transitions and Relationships
Role
transitions can lead to significant problems in relationships because new roles
require a change in expectations. For example, when people have children, each
person’s role in the relationship changes from “married” or “partner” to
“parent.”
People
often have difficulty defining themselves in that new role.. They have trouble
changing their view of themselves from happy go lucky or workaholic to
responsible parent. Others get into conflict in their relationship because they
and their partner have different expectations of the role transition and what
the new definitions of parent means. Remember: people get into disputes when
they have different expectations in a relationship, and role transitions often
create a situation in which people can have very different expectations about
the new role. As a result, role transitions often result in relationship
problems.
If
one or more of your relationships has been affected by a role transition, you
may find the rest of this session very helpful. If you don’t think you’re
currently struggling with a role transition, you may still find the information
in this session helpful for understanding other peoples’ struggles. At the very
least, it will prepare you to cope with future role transitions.
