Love Lost and Found

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

Well, Edge Hill University Psychology student Gill Elliott will be attempting to answer that very question, amongst many others, as part of her current research project ? and she?s looking for willing participants to help her cause.

"At one time the task of tracking down long-lost friends and sweethearts was a long and arduous one involving working your way through endless telephone directories until you found the right person," said Gill, from Southport. "Nowadays, thanks to the website Friends Reunited, the task has become all too easy ? at the click of a button a lost love can be found and contact made.

"Many of us have the memory of an early romantic relationship, which although intense, for one reason or another did not last. Over the years these memories may become tinged with thoughts of regret and 'what ifs?. For many people Friends Reunited has succeeded in removing the 'what ifs? and has been the catalyst in rekindling old flames.

"What I'd like to discover is what psychological effects may result from being reunited with that person after several years."

If you have either contacted or been contacted by, someone you once loved but lost from your teenage years or early 20s, after a minimum of five years separation, and if you would be interested in taking part in the research project contact Gill at gillianelliott787@hotmail.com, 07946 478 218, or call the psychology department office on 01695 584245.

Gill will arrange a convenient time for participants to come into the university for an informal and confidential chat lasting about one hour. In return they will receive a copy of the research findings at the end of the project.