A few years ago, a study was suggesting that when people break-up, it affects people in their immediate circle, and it triggers more break-ups. They theorized that it may simply be due to the fact that a) it provides a chance for other couples who know them to reflect on their own couple and consider the options; b) often one half of the couple will take sides, and that may worsen the underlying issues that a) would have simply reflected on.

In any case, have you noticed yourself that break-ups tend to love company?

I'd say perhaps seeing close friends break up, can sometimes act as a catalyst for the self-examining your own relationship.

I think it's all psycho babble.

As a psychobabbler with a split personality,I totally disagree/agree. As a cantankerous bastard though, it is second nature not to go with the flow so,no,I disagree,not influenced in the least by the actions of other flakes,the only recent break up iv'e experienced recently was when I smashed my Easter egg on the table to enjoy with a cup of tea.

It could also work the other way. It might make people in relationships feel more fortunate than the broken up ones, making them less likely to break up.

Thats the beauty of these studies: they can say whatever they want by testing one hypothesis but not the other.

Totaly agree, in the event of one say cheating on the other, it stands to reason that their friends may look at their own relationships and wonder if a,partner may also be cheating..
Looking for signs or similar behaviour..

What Butters failed to include in his post from prison is that just minutes later, he brutally cracked open the skull of his best-friend and scooped out the remains with a soppy Rich-Tea biscuit.

Well, that happened again.
A friend from New Zealand is splitting, and within 2 weeks, friends in Australia, Tunisia and Germany who use to be active in his Facebook circles have "announced" their own break-ups. one of which the result of some taking sides which might be tainted with the revelation of past liberties between the two couples.