Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Romantic Partners

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Transitory Nature of Parent, Sibling and Romantic Partner Relationships in Emerging Adulthood

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research ((BRIEFSWELLBEING))

Abstract

This chapter will examine the changes that often occur in relationships with romantic partners during emerging adulthood. During emerging adulthood new relationships are formed that are different from those formed in high school or childhood. As emerging adulthood begins individuals may find themselves choosing to live with a roommate or a romantic partner. These new relationships have the ability to influence the development and personal identity of an emerging adult. Beyond an examination of how these relationships impact the development of emerging adults, the chapter will review literature on the benefits of these relationship and gender differences in relational dynamics. Furthermore, qualitative data from a recent phenomenological study in the US is used to illustrate unique aspects of romantic partner relationships during emerging adulthood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amato, P. R. (2011). Transitions and sequences: Early family formation among women in emerging adulthood. In F. D. Fincham & M. Cui (Eds.), Romantic relationships in emerging adulthood (pp. 27–43). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, K. J., & Leaper, C. (1998). Emotion talk between same- and mixed- gender friends: Form and function. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 17, 419–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (2007). Afterword: Aging out of care- toward realizing the possibilities of emerging adulthood. New Directions for Youth Development, 151–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyers, W., & Seiffge-Krenke, I. (2010). Does identity precede intimacy? Testing Erikson’s theory on romantic development in emerging adults of the 21st century. Journal of Adolescent Research, 25(3), 387–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodenmann, G., & Shantinath, S. D. (2004). The couples coping enhancement training (CCET): A new approach to prevention of marital distress based upon stress and coping. Family Relations, 53, 477–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briton, N. J., & Hall, J. A. (1995). Beliefs about female and male nonverbal communication. Sex Roles, 32(1–2), 79–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burleson, B. (2003). The experience and effects of emotional support: What the study of cultural and gender differences can tell us about close relationships, emotion, and interpersonal communication. Personal Relationships, 10, 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, A., Martinez, G. M., Mosher, W. D., Abma, J. C., & Jones, J. (2005). Fertility, family planning, and reproductive health of U.S. women: Data from the 2002 national survey of family growth. National center for health statistics. Vital Health Stat, 23, 1–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, W. A., & Laursen, B. (1999). Relationships as developmental contexts: The Minnesota symposia on child psychology. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Côté, J. E. (2002). The role of identity capital in the transition to adulthood. Journal of Youth Studies, 5, 117–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhariwal, A., Connolly, J., Paciello, M., & Caprara, G. V. (2009). Adolescent peer relationships and emerging adult romantic styles: A longitudinal study of youth in an Italian community. Journal of Adolescent Research, 24, 579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edgar, C. J. L., Angera, J. J., Carter, S. J., Nakamoto, M., & Kalso, M. (1999). Understanding the one you love: A longitudinal assessment of an empathy training program for couples in romantic relationships. Family Relations, 48(3), 235–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. (1968). Identity youth and crisis. New York: Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat Numbers for 2006. Retrieved from https://eppsso.ec.europa.eu/sso/.

  • Furman, W. B., Brown, B., & Feiring, C. (1999). The development of romantic relationships in adolescence. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giordano, P. C., Manning, W. D., & Longmore, M. A. (2010). Affairs of the heart: Qualities of adolescent romantic relationships and sexual behavior. Journal of Research on Adolescents, 20(4), 983–1013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldin, C., Katz, L. F., & Kuziemko, I. (2006). The homecoming of American college women: The reversal of the college gender gap. Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, 20(4), 133–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hojjatt, M. (2000). Sex differences and perceptions of conflict in romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17(4–5), 598–617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House, J. S., Landis, K. R., & Umberson, D. (2003). Social relationships and health. Science, 241(4865), 540–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Impett, E. A., & Peplau, L. A. (2006). “His” and “her” relationships: A review of the empirical evidence. In A. Vangelisti & D. Perlman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of personal relationships (pp. 273–291). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jamison, T., & Ganong, L. (2011). ‘‘We’re not living together:’’ Stayover relationships among college-educated emerging adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 28, 536–557.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karantzas, G., Goncalves, C., Feeney, J., & McCabe, M. (2013). Investigating gender differences in romantic relationships. Family Relationships Quarterly, 18, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurdek, L. (2005). Gender and marital satisfaction early in marriage: A growth curve approach. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 68–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leccardi, C. (2006). Redefining the future: Youthful biographical constructions in the 21st century. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 113, 37–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E. (1990). Gender and relationships: A developmental account. American Psychologist, 45(4), 513–520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen, S. D., & Collins, W. A. (2008). Brief report: Expressive and collaborative relationship processes in observations of adolescents’ interactions with parents and romantic partners. Journal of Adolescence, 31, 489–794.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makepeace, J. M. (1981). Courtship violence among college students. Family Relations, 30(1), 97–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manning, W. E. D., & Smock, P. A. J. (2005). Measuring and modeling cohabitation: New perspectives from qualitative data. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 989–1002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marano, H. E. (2012, October 10). The dangers of loneliness. Psychology Today.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyers-Levy, J., & Sternthal, B. (1991). Gender differences in the use of message cues and judgments. Journal of Marketing Research, 28, 84–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, K. D., & Smith Slep, A. M. (2003). A dyadic longitudinal model of adolescent dating aggression. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 32(3), 314–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paik, A. (2011). Adolescent sexuality and the risk of marital dissolution. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 73, 472–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, Z., Peplau, L. A., & Hill, C. T. (1981). Loving and leaving: Sex differences in romantic attachments. Sex Roles, 7(8), 821–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sedikides, C., Oliver, B., & Campbell, W. K. (1994). Perceived benefits and costs of romantic relationships for women and men: Implications for exchange theory. Personal Relationships, 1(1), 5–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seiffge-Krenke, I. (2000). Diversity in romantic relations of adolescents with varying health status: Links to intimacy in close friendships. Journal of Adolescent Research, 15, 611–636.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Settersten, R., & Ray, B. (2010). Not quite adults: Why 20-somethings are choosing a slower path to adulthood and why it’s good for everyone. New York: Bantam Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, S., Laursen, B., Kalman, Z., & Karpovsky, S. (1997). Adolescent intimacy: Revisited. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 26, 597–617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skipper, J. K., & Nass, G. (1966). Dating behavior: A framework for analysis and an illustration. Journal of Marriage and Family, 28(4), 412–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, S. M., Whitton, S. W., & Markman, H. J. (2004). Maybe I do: Interpersonal commitment and premarital or nonmarital cohabitation. Journal of Family Issues, 25, 496–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, B., & Wolfers, J. (2007). Marriage and divorce: Changes and their driving forces. Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, 21(2), 27–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tannen, D. (2001). You just don’t understand: Women and men in conversation. New York: First Quill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teo, A. R., Choi, H., Valenstein, M. (2013). Social relationships and depression: Ten-year follow- up from a nationally representative study. PLoS ONE, 8(4).

    Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, M. K., & Rosen, L. H. (2011). Social development: Relationships in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2008). Statistical abstract of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voss, K., Markiewicz, D., & Doyle, A. B. (1999). Friendship, marriage and self-esteem. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 16, 103–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (1999). Stability, change and individual differences in involvement with friends and romantic partners among adolescent females. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 28(4), 419–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, PA, USA

    Avidan Milevsky

  2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kristie Thudium

  3. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jillian Guldin

Authors
  1. Avidan Milevsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristie Thudium
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jillian Guldin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Avidan Milevsky .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Milevsky, A., Thudium, K., Guldin, J. (2014). Romantic Partners. In: The Transitory Nature of Parent, Sibling and Romantic Partner Relationships in Emerging Adulthood. SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06638-7_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation