Answer:
The correct answer is; De-escalation.
Explanation:
De-escalation is a direct termination strategy in which an individual from the couple states that he/she wants the relationship to return to a previous level of intimacy because he/she no longer feels confortable with the relationship.
It is a desire to redefine the level of compromise and intimacy that an actual problematic relationship may pose.
In this particular case, Connor is using the direct termination strategy called De-escalation because he is proposing her girlfriend that "they can still be friends".
In conclusion, the correct answer is de-escalation.