Relationship Burnout and Prevention
Relationship burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion resulting from unmet expectations in long-term relationships (Pines, 1996). It progresses through three stages: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Neuroticism is the strongest risk factor, while extraversion and agreeableness serve as protective factors. Hedonic adaptation explains why initial excitement fades over time. Aron et al. (2000) demonstrated that engaging in novel and challenging activities together significantly boosts relationship satisfaction, providing the most evidence-based prevention strategy. Recovery involves recognizing burnout, personal restoration, relationship reconstruction, and establishing preventive habits including gratitude practices and maintaining individual autonomy.