“Defining the relationship” in adolescent and young adult romantic relationships

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 2078-2097
Author(s):  
Kayla Knopp ◽  
Galena K. Rhoades ◽  
Scott M. Stanley ◽  
Howard J. Markman
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
The Relationship

“Defining the relationship” (DTR) conversations are a topic of interest among lay people, yet have been the focus of little empirical research, leaving a gap in the psychological literature on romantic relationship development. This article presents descriptive data from two studies about the characteristics and correlates of DTR talks in adolescents’ and emerging adults’ romantic relationships. In Study 1, DTR talks were found to occur in over half of the young adult participants’ ( N = 341) most recent relationships, often involved discussion about aspects of commitment and sexual decisions, and occurred more often in relationships that were more serious, involved sex, delayed sex, and involved infidelity. Study 2 extended these findings to an online sample of 15- to 17-year-old adolescents ( N = 248) and found similar results. Further, Study 2 showed that DTR talks were associated with more frequent condom and birth control use. Qualitative data from Study 2 indicated that planning for the future and resolving ambiguity were common motivations for DTR talks, though many teens also reported more spontaneous motivations; further, DTR talks often, but not always, resulted in positive changes in the relationship, including increased clarity, intimacy, and commitment. These findings suggest that DTR talks are an important topic for future research and may have implications for young people’s relationship quality and sexual health.

Do differences matter? A typology of emerging adult romantic relationship

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia N. E. Roberson ◽  
Jerika Christine Norona ◽  
Jessica N. Fish ◽  
Spencer B. Olmstead ◽  
Frank Fincham
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Latent Class Analyses ◽  
Group Variation

Romantic relationships among emerging adults (individuals aged 18–25 years) are typically homogenously classified both theoretically and empirically as “exploratory” and “unstable.” With a sample of college students ( N = 340), we examined within-group variation among romantic relationships in emerging adulthood using latent class analyses. Four predictor variables indicated four types of romantic relationships among emerging adult college students: the committers (38%), the casual daters (23%), the settlers (30%), and the volatile daters (8%). Classes varied according to background variables such as gender and infidelity. Additionally, there was class variation for outcome variables such as breakup status and loneliness. Future research and implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Machiavellianism and Schadenfreude in Women’s Friendships

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 909-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loren Abell ◽  
Gayle Brewer
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Academic Abilities ◽  
The Relationship

The present study investigated the relationship between Machiavellianism, envy, competition, and schadenfreude in women’s same-sex friendships. Women ( N = 133) completed an online questionnaire measuring Machiavellianism, envy, competition, and three author-generated vignettes measuring expressed schadenfreude in relation to a same-sex friend. Women with higher levels of Machiavellianism expressed greater feelings of pleasure in response to their same-sex friend’s misfortunes in a romantic relationship and their physical appearance but not in relation to academic abilities. Envy predicted feelings of schadenfreude in academic and romantic relationships while competition predicted feelings of schadenfreude in all three scenarios. Future research should explore how characteristics of the target and different forms of envy may influence responses to a friend’s misfortune in individuals with higher levels of Machiavellianism.

scholarly journals The relationship between cognitive distortions and forgiveness in romantic relationships

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1338
Author(s):  
Gökçen Aydın ◽  
Nasibe Kandemir Özdinç ◽  
Meral Aksu
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Cognitive Distortions ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
State University ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Self Forgiveness ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the present study was to find out the relationship between cognitive distortions and forgiveness in romantic relationships of college students. The sample of the study was 340 college students who have a romantic relationship at a state university in Turkey. The purposeful sampling method was carried out in this correlational study. In order to collect data, three instruments were utilized: Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale (ICDS), Heartland Forgiveness Scale and Demographic Data Form. The scales were put online to survey.metu.edu.tr and students having a romantic relationship were asked to complete the scale. In the present study, canonical correlation was conducted through SPSS 22 statistical package for data analysis in order to assess the relationship between two sets of variables: “Interpersonal Rejection”, “Unrealistic Relationship Expectation” and “Interpersonal Misperception” are the subscales of interpersonal cognitive distortions on one set and “Forgiveness of Self”, “Forgiveness of Others” and “Forgiveness of Situations” are the subscales of forgiveness on the other set. The study was significant because it might fill the gap in the literature and counseling field in terms of finding the relationship between two sets of variables to give a light to possible predictors in future research studying romantic relationships.

Assessing Young Adults’ Beliefs Regarding the Importance of Romantic Relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-182
Author(s):  
Nicole K. Watkins ◽  
Jonathon J. Beckmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Valid Assessment ◽  
Relationship Importance

In the current study, we provided initial evidence for the factor structure and validity of the Brief Measure of Relationship Importance, a new measure of young adults’ beliefs about the values and costs of being in romantic relationships. Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, this measure consisted of two subscales: relationship desire (two items; viewing relationships as important and satisfying parts of one’s life) and relationship dismissal (four items; viewing relationships as less desirable or valuable for one’s life). Relationship desire and dismissal scores were associated with participants’ happiness with their romantic experiences, relationship satisfaction, having experienced relationship cycling, marriage intentions, and general interest in being in a romantic relationship. Therefore, we concluded that the Brief Measure of Relationship Importance provides a reliable and valid assessment of young adults’ romantic relationship attitudes. We discuss how our measure can be used in future research on young adults’ romantic relationship development.

Does covid-19 "infect" love? How italian emerging adults lived their romantic relationships during the time of lockdown

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Gaia Cuccì ◽  
Maria Giulia Olivari ◽  
Emanuela Confalonieri
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Relationship Importance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Romantic Relationship Quality ◽  
The Way

In Italy the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown have deeply changed the way Italian people used to live. Many emerging adults had to self-distance from their romantic partners and modify the way of communicating and relating to each other. Thus managing a romantic relationship could be very challenging.The study quantitatively and qualitatively investigates the association between Lockdown related negative emotions, perception of the romantic relationship quality, changes in the relationship's characteristics and conflict within the couple. The sample consists of 171 emerging adults involved in a romantic relationship, who spent the time of lockdown apart from the romantic partner.Results showed that the perception of the relationship quality was not greatly associated with Lockdown related negative emotions, but was associated with changes and higher conflict within the relationship. Qualitative data support and enrich these results. Changes and conflicts within the relationship were due to: difficulties to communicate, lack of intimacy, awareness about relationship importance or presence of emotionaldetachment between partners.

Reciprocal influences between developmental transitions and parent–child relationships in young adulthood

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 401-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gowert Masche
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Reciprocal Effects ◽  
Leaving Home ◽  
Developmental Transitions ◽  
Parent Relationships ◽  
Reciprocal Influences ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Parent Child Relationships

Inconsistent findings exist on the effects of young adult–parent relationships on developmental status transitions into adulthood. Such transitions in turn predicted less conflicted and closer young adult–parent relationships. But systematic investigations of reciprocal effects between developmental transitions and young adult–parent relationships are lacking. A total of 477 participants initially aged 20–32 ( M = 23.9, SD = 1.5) were interviewed twice, once in 1993 and again in 1995/1996. Subsamples were drawn that had not yet undergone the transitions to work, leaving home, cohabitation with a romantic partner, marriage and parenthood at Time 1. It was assessed whether the levels of mutual trust, instrumentality of relationships, and critical discussions at Time 1 predicted developmental transitions by Time 2, and whether developmental transitions were followed by changes in the relationship measures. The more the participants trusted in their parents, the more likely they were to marry or to have children. Cohabitation was followed by decreased instrumentality. Higher discussion frequency predicted cohabitation and was a consequence of starting to work and leaving home. The results are discussed with regard to individuation theory of adolescent and young adult–parent relationship development.

Negotiating Relational Breakups

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
René M. Dailey
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Dissolution Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Shared Resources ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Relationship

Romantic relationships often develop with excitement and positive anticipation. Yet many dissolve. Research has examined several facets to unpack the dissolution process, from what leads to termination to redefining relationships with former partners. For example, relationship dynamics (e.g., commitment, love) typically play the largest roles in dissolution, but individual and demographic factors also contribute to whether relationships stay intact or terminate. Research has also delineated specific strategies people use to disengage, which vary in directness and whether they are one-sided or mutual. Models of dissolution also describe typical paths or precipitating communication patterns that reflect dissolution. Following a breakup, most people experience post-dissolution distress, which can entail emotional, cognitive, and physiological effects. People vary in the intensity of distress experienced; those who fare badly tend to have more relational anxiety or use coping strategies to distract themselves from or deny the effects of the breakup. The fact that many ex-partners maintain contact or relationships following dissolution complicates the recovery process. Former partners maintain contact because they have the same social network, because they want to renew the relationship or consider the ex-partner as a back-up plan, or because they have children or shared resources. Hence, many former partners redefine their relationship rather than completely terminating all contact. Some are able to successfully transform their relationship into a friendship, and some eventually also reconcile the romantic nature of their relationship. The dissolution of a romantic relationship can be one of the most significant stressors that individuals experience. Most people, even those who initiate the breakup, endure distress and negative effects. Yet dissolution can provide relief from a detrimental relationship for some. And many people experience positive effects or post-dissolution growth, such as gaining a new appreciation for other relationships, rediscovering the self, or pursuing new opportunities. The extant research provides an understanding of the various factors and steps in the dissolution process. Future research can synthesize these areas of research into more comprehensive frameworks to derive more tailored recommendations on navigating breakups, thereby minimizing the distress and maximizing the benefits.

scholarly journals Ambivalent sexism and relationship adjustment among young adult couples: An actor-partner interdependence model

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110055
Author(s):  
Mylène Lachance-Grzela ◽  
Bingyu Liu ◽  
Andréanne Charbonneau ◽  
Geneviève Bouchard
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Ambivalent Sexism ◽  
Benevolent Sexism ◽  
Hostile Sexism ◽  
Relationship Adjustment ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model

This study examined the associations between ambivalent sexism (i.e., hostile and benevolent sexism) and relationship adjustment in young adult couples by testing an actor-partner interdependence model. The sample was composed of 219 cohabiting heterosexual Canadian couples. The findings suggest that ambivalent sexism plays a role in young adults’ perceptions of the quality of their romantic relationship, but gender differences exist. Women and men who more strongly endorsed hostile sexism tended to report lower relationship adjustment. Women’s hostile sexism was also negatively related to their partners’ relationship adjustment, whereas their benevolent sexism was positively related to their own and their partners’ relationship adjustment. For their part, men’s ambivalent sexism was unrelated to their partners’ relationship adjustment and their benevolent sexism was also unrelated to their own relationship adjustment. The results are discussed in light of the insidious consequences that can accompany ambivalent sexism. Even though hostile sexism functions to protect men’s societal advantages, it comes with costs to their romantic relationships. In contrast, despite the rewards benevolent sexism can bring on the relational level, its endorsement may hinder the attainment of gender equality by encouraging women to invest in their relationship at the expense of independent achievements.

Stoicism and Verbal Aggression in Serial Arguments: The Roles of Perceived Power, Perceived Resolvability, and Frequency of Arguments

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199458
Author(s):  
Elle P. Johnson ◽  
Jennifer A. Samp
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Verbal Aggression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Repetitive Nature ◽  
Relational Partners ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Moderator ◽  
Perceived Power

Impelled by a desire to control, suppress, and deny emotional response, stoic individuals may act out their pent-up emotions on relational partners by provoking conflict and/or engaging in partner-directed violent and aggressive behaviors. However, little is known regarding what factors can push stoics over the edge from remaining quiet or avoiding revealing frustrations to initiating aggressive behavior. This relationship between stoicism and aggression is important to consider in serial arguments, where the repetitive nature of a conflict may become increasingly difficult for stoics to manage internally. Here, we examined the influence of stoicism on verbal aggression in serial arguments between romantic partners. We additionally considered the effects of power, perceived resolvability, and argument frequency on the relationship between stoicism and verbal aggression. Using a survey design with a sample of 281 individuals involved in a romantic relationship, we observed that stoicism is positively associated with verbal aggression in serial arguments. While perceived power and resolvability did not moderate the relationship between stoicism and verbal aggression, argument frequency about a serial argument topic was a significant moderator. The results of this study imply that stoicism plays an important role in explaining aggressive tactics in conflict. A high argument frequency about a conflict topic may lead to a buildup of unexpressed emotions, particularly anger, in stoic individuals, resulting in an explosive release of violence and aggression toward a romantic partner. Unique results on the relationship between stoicism and power and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Young Adult Cancer Survivorship: Recommendations for Patient Follow-up, Exercise Therapy, and Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott C Adams ◽  
Jennifer Herman ◽  
Iliana C Lega ◽  
Laura Mitchell ◽  
David Hodgson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Pediatric Cancer Survivors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Care Guidelines ◽  
Young Adult Cancer ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines

Abstract Survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers (AYAs) often live 50 to 60 years beyond their diagnosis. This rapidly growing cohort is at increased risk for cancer- and treatment-related late effects that persist for decades into survivorship. Recognition of similar issues in pediatric cancer survivors has prompted the development of evidence-based guidelines for late effects screening and care. However, corresponding evidence-based guidelines for AYAs have not been developed. We hosted an AYA survivorship symposium for a large group of multidisciplinary AYA stakeholders (approximately 200 were in attendance) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON) to begin addressing this disparity. The following overview briefly summarizes and discusses the symposium’s stakeholder-identified high-priority targets for late effects screening and care, and highlights knowledge gaps to direct future research in the field of AYA survivorship. This overview, while not exhaustive, is intended to stimulate clinicians to consider these high-priority screening and care targets when seeing survivors in clinical settings and, ultimately, support the development of evidence-based ‘late effects’ screening and care guidelines for AYAs.

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