A new study reveals that remaining friends with an ex-lover or even just following their activities online through Facebook can disrupt a person's ability to heal emotionally.

The study collected data from 464 participants to evaluate their Facebook usage and their emotional recovery and personal adjustment following the breakup of a romantic relationship.
It evaluated parameters such as negative feelings, sexual desire and emotional longing for the ex-partner, and feelings of reduced personal growth as measures of distress and the ability to move forward with their lives.
"This study sees again virtual life mirroring real life. Just as real life contact with ex-partners may inhibit growth, healing, and well-being, so may virtual contact," Brenda K. Wiederhold, from the Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, CA, said.
The study has been published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Source-ANI