Major life changes often result in role transitions. Smoking can be seen as a role transition. By definition, when we’re in a role transition we move from an old role to a new role. Because the new role is, well, new, it can be hard to adjust to - and it can be difficult for other people in our lives to make the adjustment to our change. Other people in our lives may have difficulty accepting, or getting used to, our new roles.
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.” When quitting smoking how you relate to your smoking partner might be different.
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.
How has role transition affected your relationships?
Ashley, Health Educator
