Premarital Romantic Commitment

2019 ◽  
pp. 47-68
Author(s):  
Varda Konstam
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Traditional Values ◽  
Adult Relationships ◽  
The Future ◽  
Relational Factor ◽  
Relational Skills

Relational skills gained through forming committed romantic partnerships in emerging adulthood provide the foundation for sustained intimacy in later adult relationships. Commitment emerges as a crucial relational factor in the quality and longevity of romantic relationships. Twenty-nine emerging adults spoke about the meaning, expectations, and formation of commitment in romantic relationships. Results revealed that emerging adults maintain traditional values concerning monogamy, trust/respect, and planning for the future. Although the majority of the participants could readily identify what they were looking for in a romantic commitment, they hesitated to communicate their desire with their partners. Clinical implications are discussed.

Commitment among unmarried emerging adults: Meaning, expectations, and formation of relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1317-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varda Konstam ◽  
Teyana Curran ◽  
Selda Celen-Demirtas ◽  
Samantha Karwin ◽  
Kimberly Bryant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Consensual Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Relational Factor

Relational skills gained through forming committed romantic partnerships in emerging adulthood (ages 18–29) provide the foundation for sustained intimacy in later adult relationships. Commitment is a crucial relational factor affecting the quality and longevity of romantic relationships. This qualitative study examined the meaning, expectations, and formation of commitment in romantic relationships among 29 emerging adults using consensual qualitative research methodology. Four categories pertaining to commitment were identified: (a) meaning of commitment; (b) expectations of a committed romantic relationship; (c) considerations made prior to commitment; and (d) experience with commitment talk. Though the majority of the participants could readily identify meanings and expectations of a committed romantic relationship, they hesitated to communicate their desire with their partners. Clinical implications are discussed.

The roles of parental attachment and sibling relationships on life satisfaction in emerging adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1747-1763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Ponti ◽  
Martina Smorti
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Parental Attachment ◽  
Sibling Relationships ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Perceived Life Satisfaction

Most research investigating relationships during emerging adulthood has focused on the quality of friendships and romantic relationships while devoting little attention to family relationships. The present study considered the quality of attachment to both parents in a sample of 253 emerging adults, aged 20–31 ( M = 24.32; SD = 2.22), examining how these could influence the quality of sibling relationships and analyzing the link of these family relationships with the level of life satisfaction. Results showed that the attachment to both the mother and the father was linked to the quality of sibling relationships. Moreover, parental attachment to both parents and sibling relationships affected the level of perceived life satisfaction during emerging adulthood. Limitations, strengths, and theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Well-Being and Romantic Relationships: A Systematic Review in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Gómez-López ◽  
Carmen Viejo ◽  
Rosario Ortega-Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Other ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are both stages in which romantic relationships play a key role in development and can be a source of both well-being and negative outcomes. However, the limited number of studies prior to adulthood, along with the multiplicity of variables involved in the romantic context and the considerable ambiguity surrounding the construct of well-being, make it difficult to reach conclusions about the relationship between the two phenomena. This systematic review synthesizes the results produced into this topic over the last three decades. A total of 112 studies were included, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. On the one hand, these works revealed the terminological heterogeneity in research on well-being and the way the absence of symptoms of illness are commonly used to measure it, while on the other hand, they also showed that romantic relationships can be an important source of well-being for both adolescents and emerging adults. The findings underline the importance of providing a better definition of well-being, as well as to attribute greater value to the significance of romantic relationships. Devoting greater empirical, educational, and community efforts to romantic development in the stages leading up to adulthood are considered necessary actions in promoting the well-being of young people.

Romantic Relationships and the Transition to Work

2021 ◽  
pp. 107-124
Author(s):  
José F. Domene ◽  
Sarah M. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Transition To Work ◽  
The World ◽  
Relationship Factors

In this chapter, the authors address intersections between romantic relationship factors and the transition to work experience. They briefly summarize the nature of romantic relationships during emerging adulthood and then review research conducted around the world, which reveals that these two aspects of a person’s life are closely intertwined during emerging adulthood. They describe the ways romantic relationship development and career development have been found to influence each other and the concerns that many emerging adults have about balancing their goals in these two areas of life. Drawing on this literature, they make several recommendations for practitioners who are assisting emerging adults to make an optimal transition to work in the context of their romantic relationships. Finally, the authors use a case study, drawn from research conducted by the first author, to illustrate how the principles discussed in this review can manifest in the lives of one emerging adult couple.

Sexual Activity in the Context of Romantic Relationships

2021 ◽  
pp. 99-116
Author(s):  
Spencer B. Olmstead ◽  
Kristin M. Anders
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Developmental Experiences ◽  
Current Trends

Romantic relationships and sexuality have been described as crucial developmental experiences during emerging adulthood. One key belief is that many emerging adults are delaying more traditional romantic relationships (e.g., marriage) in favor of more sexually based relationships or avoiding relationships altogether. With increased engagement in sex outside the context of committed relationships, recent research has focused more on the sexual relationships of emerging adults; however, many scholars have shown that there are a variety of diverse pathways that emerging adults take when developing romantic and sexual relationships, and these continue to be an important influence during this period. This chapter discusses current trends in both sexual and romantic relationships of emerging adults, including how these experiences are linked. It also discusses trends related to sex and commitment, stayover relationships and cohabitation, and infidelity during this period. It concludes with recommendations for future research and practice.

The Challenge of Romantic Relationships in Emerging Adulthood

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shmuel Shulman ◽  
Jennifer Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Life Plans ◽  
Life Tasks ◽  
Stage Development ◽  
Stage Theories

Whereas theories of romantic stage development suggest that youth in the period of emerging adulthood are fully capable of commitment to an intimate romantic relationship, recent research suggests that the relationships of many young people are quite different. Marriage and other forms of deep commitment are delayed while many youth engage in short-term casual encounters or in noncommitted relationships. This chapter suggests that these data pose a challenge to stage theories, one that can be reconciled by considering the developmental life tasks that emerging adults must simultaneously resolve. The authors propose a transitional emerging adult romantic stage, coordinating romance and life plans, in which young people strive to integrate career paths and life plans with those of a romantic partner. Resolution of this stage provides the grounding for long-term commitment to a life partner. This proposal is discussed within the perspective of life cycle and evolutionary life history theories.

Why Did It End? Breakup Reasons of Youth of Different Gender, Dating Stages, and Ages

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeriya Bravo ◽  
Jennifer Connolly ◽  
Caroline McIsaac
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Dating ◽  
Developmental Perspective ◽  
Relevant Theory ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
And Gender

Romantic breakups are common among youths. Yet “why” they occur is not well understood. In adolescence and emerging adulthood, unique characteristics of romantic participation call for investigation of breakups from a developmental perspective. Our principal objective was to map out breakup reasons of adolescents and emerging adults, accounting for relevant theory and research on both age-groups. We considered the role of age, gender, and dating stage (casual vs. serious) on youths’ breakup reasons. Results revealed a five-factor scale with affiliation, intimacy, autonomy, infidelity, and status as unique factors. Consistent with theory and research, we found similarities and differences in how youths of different age, dating stage, and gender endorse these reasons. These findings are consistent with the notion that breakups stem from a failure of romantic relationships to meet youths’ emerging romantic needs, and that there is considerable continuity in these relational dimensions from adolescence into emerging adulthood.

How Gender Shapes Emerging Adulthood

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerika C. Norona ◽  
Teresa M. Preddy ◽  
Deborah P. Welsh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Risk Taking Behaviors

This chapter examines how gender shapes experiences in emerging adulthood, from identity development and relationships to involvement in risky behaviors and mental health outcomes. It first considers the developmental tasks commonly faced by emerging adults before proceeding to a discussion of gender differences between young men and women in terms of development of one’s identity and relationships with family members (parents and siblings), friendships, and romantic relationships and sexual experiences, as well as mental health outcomes and the propensity to engage in risk-taking behaviors. It also describes various domains of identity, including political affiliation, religiosity/spirituality, and career/occupational development. The chapter concludes by assessing gaps in the literature and outlining directions for future research.

scholarly journals Criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features of emerging adulthood, and views of the future among Greek studying youth

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia Galanaki ◽  
Sophie Leontopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Identity Exploration ◽  
Job Experience ◽  
Norm Compliance ◽  
The Future ◽  
Adult Status ◽  
Developmental Features

This study investigated emerging adulthood and transition to adulthood in Greece, a highly underresearched issue in this country. Participants were 784 university students aged 17.5-27.5 years. Criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features of emerging adulthood, perceived adult status, views of the future (optimism), and sociodemographic variables were assessed. The results support the existence of emerging adulthood as a distinct life period in Greece. More than two thirds of the sample were self-perceived emerging adults. Most prevalent criteria were Norm compliance and Family capacities. Developmental features of emerging adulthood ranked high, especially Identity exploration, Experimentation/possibilities, and Feeling “in-between”. Statistically significant variations emerged as a function of gender, age, living arrangement, job experience, and perceived adult status. Views of the future were cautiously optimistic. Similarities with existing data and differences related to the specific characteristics of the Southern European context are discussed.

scholarly journals To seek or not to seek advice: Talking about romantic issues during emerging adulthood

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-142
Author(s):  
Semira Tagliabue ◽  
Maria Giulia Olivari ◽  
Cristina Giuliani ◽  
Emanuela Confalonieri
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Points Of View

The aim of the study was to explore whether and how emerging adults talk about their romantic relationships with their close others, especially their parents and friends, also considering gender differences. Data were collected via eight single-sex focus groups conducted with 50 Italian emerging adults (aged 18–25), and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two main themes emerged. The first was labeled “to seek advice”, which was divided into three subthemes: “I look for different points of view,” “I treasure other people’s words,” and “I listen and then do it my own way.” The second theme was “to not seek advice,” which was divided into two subthemes: “I do not need comparison” and “I need to choose on my own.” The findings revealed that close friends, more than parents, are important interlocutors for discussions on romantic relationships, and few gender differences were found. Furthermore, we can speculate that emerging adults’ reasons for seeking advice or not could relate to their autonomy and relatedness needs.

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