The diversity of romantic pathways during emerging adulthood and their developmental antecedents

Abstract

The present study examined patterns of romantic pathways in 100 Israeli emerging adults (54 males) who were followed from age 22 to 29 years. Analyses of interviews at age 29 yielded four distinctive romantic pathways differing in stability and ability to learn from romantic experiences: Sporadic, Lengthy Relationships but Absence of Experiential Learning, Moving from Casual to Steady Involvements, and Steady Relationships. Low efficacy, immature dependency, and level of maternal support measured 7 years earlier, predicted less optimal romantic pathways; Sporadic, and Lengthy relationships but absence of experiential learning. Distinctive gender pathways suggested that men are more likely to embark on a sporadic romantic pathway, while women tend more to prefer a stable romantic pathway. Findings of the study suggest that gender, intrapersonal capabilities, and maternal support can predict the pattern of the romantic pathway on which young people embark during their twenties.

Adolescent Depressive Symptoms and Breakup Distress During Early Emerging Adulthood

“…They had difficulties coping with their hurt feelings and moving into new relationships. However, among other emerging adults, a romantic breakup served as a learning experience for future relationships (Shulman, Seiffge-Krenke, Scharf, Bezalel-Boiangiu, & Tregubenko, 2016; Tuval-Mashiach, Hanson, & Shulman, 2014). Given that for some individuals breakup distress subsides, while for others it might persist, the major aim of the current study is to examine the personal characteristics that are associated with greater breakup distress during early emerging adulthood and to learn about the consequences of breakup distress on a current relationship.…”

Männerbilder im Wandel

“…Viele junge Erwachsene in Deutschland, aber auch in anderen westlichen Industrieländern gehen gegenwärtig unverbindliche sexuelle Begegnungen ein, die sich nach kurzer Zeit auflösen [10]. Es handelt sich um unterschiedliche Muster sexueller Aktivitäten, die von One-Night-Stands und "Sex with the Ex" bis zu gelegentlichen sexuellen Aktivitäten mit Freunden ("Freundschaft + ") reichen können.…”

“…Im Längsschnitt kann man verfolgen, dass unverbindliche Sexualbeziehungen bei Männern allmählich in diese verschiedenen Muster überführt werden; es bleibt ein etwas höherer Anteil von Männern mit weiterhin unverbindlichen Beziehungen und distanzierten Formen, was durch die berufliche Mobilität mitbegünstigt wird [10].…”

Why are undergraduate emerging adults anxious and avoidant in their romantic relationships? The role of family relationships

“…In sum, previous research has shown that young people's perceptions of good family support influence the establishment of healthy romantic relationships, both in adolescence [31] and in emerging adulthood [24, 27, 32]. Furthermore, parental warmth is also associated with positive romantic relationships during both adolescence [33–35] and emerging adulthood [25].…”