Breaking Up, Holding On: Differentiation of Self as a Mediator in Post-Relationship Pursuit.

Stalking and unwanted pursuit behaviors following a romantic breakup, referred to as post-relationship pursuit (PRP), pose significant psychological and emotional risks for victims. While research has highlighted elevated rates of stalking victimization among gender and sexual minority (GSM) individuals, little is known about the mechanisms underlying PRP perpetration in this population. This study investigates differentiation of self as a mediating factor between GSM status and PRP perpetration. A sample of 687 young adults (ages 18-24) completed measures of differentiation of self and PRP behaviors. Results revealed that GSM individuals exhibited lower levels of differentiation of self compared to cisgender heterosexual individuals. Mediation analyses indicated that while GSM status was not directly associated with PRP perpetration, it was indirectly related through differentiation of self, suggesting that lower differentiation may contribute to relational intrusions post-breakup. These findings highlight the role of differentiation in managing relational boundaries and emotional regulation, particularly in populations vulnerable to minority stress.