- FIRST STAGE: First Doubts
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SECOND STAGE: Seeking Alternatives
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THIRD STAGE: The Turning Point
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FOURTH STAGE: The Exit
DISENGAGEMENT & DISIDENTIFICATION
An ex goes through various stages in the process of disengaging her/himself from a role and in
re-establishing another role identity for her/himself. Whether one is moving from childhood to
adolescence, from employment to unemployment, from single life to marriage, or vice versa,
each of these movements involves a disengagement from the values, norms, social supports and
ways of thinking that are associated with the group or relationship one is leaving. Every ex
has been involved in a process of disengagement and disidentification, of withdrawing from the
expectations and obligations associated with a role.





