A Prospective Study of Intraindividual and Peer Influences on Adolescents' Heterosexual Romantic and Sexual Behavior

Theories and empirical studies of adolescent sexual behavior have identified the contributions of personal attributes and social experiences; however, it is rare that models have clarified developmental pathways to adolescent sexual behavior that include (1) factors assessed prior to and early in adolescence and (2) dyadic experiences in adolescence that provide the opportunity for sexual behavior (i.e., dating). Using data from a prospective study, structural equation modeling was used to test a model predicting adolescent sexual behavior at age 19, denoted by the number of lifetime sexual partners. Predictors examined were sociability and impulsivity assessed at 30 months of age, physical characteristics and experiences with peers measured at age 12-13, the age of first romantic relationship, and frequency of alcohol use at age 16. The pathway to greater sexual involvement was marked by some desired personal attributes (e.g., sociability) and peer experiences (e.g., higher quality friendships). These associations were mediated, however, by earlier initiation of romantic relationships and more frequent use of alcohol in middle adolescence. Earlier initiation of romantic relationships and more frequent alcohol use were predicted by greater sociability and less impulsivity in childhood, higher quality friendships and greater peer acceptance in early adolescence, and a more mature appearance and physical attractiveness (among females) at age 13. The findings imply a complex pathway that leads to a greater accumulation of sexual partners by age 19. This pathway begins in childhood and includes individual qualities, peer acceptance, romantic relationships, and alcohol use.     

Romantic and Sexual Relationships with Adult Partners Among Pedohebephilic Men

This study examined reasons for romantic and sexual relationships with adult partners among men with pedohebephilic preferences (N?=?125). We also explored whether age sexual orientation impacted reasons for engaging in sex with adult partners. Pedohebephilic men endorsed both non-sexual and sexual reasons for engaging in adult-partnered relationships. The top reasons for sexual relationships with adult partners were pleasure, love and commitment, physical desirability, experience seeking, and practicality. The top reasons for romantic relationships with adult partners were to gain companionship, love toward romantic partner, to escape loneliness, to engage in sexual activities, and it seemed natural. The exclusivity of attraction to children was found to be significantly related to some of the factors. These findings support differential reasons for pedophilic men engaging in adult-partnered relationships. Professionals should seek to understand the nature of their clients’ relationships and age sexual orientation to determine whether such factors are relevant. Professionals can then support clients in their search for meaningful relationships.

     

Examining Rules in Friends with Benefits Relationships

Establishing communicative and behavioral boundaries in romantic relationships provides partners with a greater sense of relational stability and certainty. For romantic relationships, these boundaries, such as sexual exclusivity, are relatively straightforward. For casual sex relationships, however, the relational rules are less stable and certain. This exploratory study examined rules in friends with benefits relationships (FWBRs) for 109 college students in the USA. Responses to open-ended questions were collected through an online questionnaire, and data were qualitatively analyzed through an inductive thematic analysis. The data were structured into communication rules, sexual rules, and relational definition rules. Results provide overlap and extension of previous work investigating rules in FWBRs. Notably, participants reported sexual exclusivity as an important rule. Additionally, potentially competing discourses in FWBR rules were best understood through the lens of relational dialectics. Findings reflect a tension in terms of relational work, as partners struggle with maintaining their sexual and friendship relationship while not falling into the “territory” of romantic relationships.

     

Impact of Sexual Coercion on Romantic Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults

Little is known about the effect of sexual coercion on romantic relationship quality and dating experiences. The current study aimed to address this dearth in the literature and test the hypothesis that sexual coercion has a negative impact on victims’ subsequent romantic experiences. Using a sample of 94 youth (44 males and 50 females), the current study addressed the impact of sexual coercion on romantic relationship quality and dating experiences. Tracking youth for 8.5 years (M age at Wave 1 = 15.10 years, SD = .49), the current study used piecewise growth curve modeling to account for shifts in the intercept and slope of romantic experiences following sexual coercion. Negative interactions immediately increased following coercion and continued to have an accelerated rate of growth (i.e., a slope change). Jealousy in romantic relationships increased in slope. Serious dating decelerated following the coercive incident. Results were largely consistent across gender and severity of the coercive incident. Contrary to hypotheses, relational support, relationship satisfaction, and casual dating did not significantly change following sexual coercion. Consistent with hypotheses, sexual coercion had a negative impact on romantic experiences. These findings have clinical implications for both prevention and intervention around sexual violence. In addition, the consistency of findings across gender and severity suggests that increased focus should be directed toward both male sexual coercion and less severe sexual coercion.     

What is Essential is Invisible to the Eye: Intimate Relationships of Adolescents with Visual Impairment

We examined the development of intimate relationships in 180 adolescents with visual impairment (VI) and 533 sighted peers. Adolescents with VI reported a later age at the time of first falling in love, dating, and entering into a romantic relationship. However, between-group differences in the timing of first sexual intercourse were not significant. In addition, similar numbers of adolescents from both groups had experiences with falling in love and having romantic relations at the time of assessment. The two groups differed in the criteria for mate selection, and emotional maturity was more important for young people with VI than for their sighted peers while the reverse was found for physical attractiveness and material resources of potential partners. Finally, the two groups did not differ in the perceived quality of their present romantic relationship.     

Parental Support,Psychological Control,and Early Adolescents' Relationships with Friends and Dating Partners

Interdependence and social exchange theories were used to explore parent–adolescent relationship quality and early adolescents' relationships with close friends and dating partners. Associations among adolescents' perceptions of parental support and psychological control, peer relationship experiences (communication, emotional support, and possessiveness), and peer relationship satisfaction were examined using a test‐replication design. Our largely African American and female samples ranged from age 11 to 15. Results indicated the parenting variables were directly related to peer relationship experiences, which, in turn, predicted relationship satisfaction. The association between parental support and relationship satisfaction was mediated by peer communication and emotional support. Limited moderation by gender and relationship type was found. Parental psychological control mattered more for female and parental support more for male adolescents' close peer relationships. Dating partner possessiveness was most detrimental for females' relationship satisfaction, whereas communication influenced relationship satisfaction most for females reporting on friends and males reporting on dating partners.     

'She's 16 years old and there's boys calling over to the house': An exploratory study of sexual socialization in Latino families

Compared to other ethnic groups in the USA, Latino populations are at high risk for negative sexual outcomes, including unplanned pregnancy and HIV/AIDS infection. The goal of this study was to explore the role of cultural beliefs and values in sexual socialization by focusing on the family socialization of adolescent romantic and sexual behaviour described by 22 Latina/Hispanic women who took part in in-depth individual interviews. Four broad themes were explored: Parental concerns regarding dating, family communication about sexual issues, family rules about dating, and actual dating and sexual experiences. Consistent with traditional cultural views, female romantic involvement outside of marriage was described as potentially dishonourable to the family. Because US-style dating was seen as a violation of traditional courtship styles, most of the respondents' families placed strict boundaries on adolescent sociosexual interaction. As a result, many respondents described adolescent experiences of dating characterized by tension and conflict, and reported vulnerability in eventual sexual encounters. In order to better understand the sexual behaviour of young Latina women in the USA, researchers must examine sexual socialization within the family of origin and take parents' culturally-influenced beliefs and practises into account.     

Dating and Courtship Behaviors Among Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder

There has been growing concern among stakeholders about individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their sexual and intimate relationship experience, and their ability to pursue and maintain interpersonal relationships in a healthy manner. ASD is characterized, in part, by communication and socialization deficits, which may lead to miscommunications, inappropriate communications, or inappropriate actions towards romantic interests. This study sought to describe the romantic experiences of a small sample of individuals with ASD and explore any inappropriate courtship behaviors while pursuing a romantic interest.

     

Sexuality,Sexual Behavior,and Relationships of Asexual Individuals: Differences Between Aromantic and Romantic Orientation

Asexuality is a complex construct with a considerable lack of research until recently. Building upon available findings, we examined the extent to which romantic orientation shapes individual and relationship experiences, and expectations of asexual individuals. Specifically, our research focused on the distinction between romantic asexual individuals, who experience romantic attraction, and aromantic asexual individuals, who do not experience romantic attraction. A cross-sectional study with members of different asexual online communities (N?=?447, 55.02% women; M_age?=?24.77 years, SD?=?7.21) aimed at examining how both groups differ in their identification with the asexuality construct as measured by the Asexuality Identification Scale (Yule et al., 2017), individual perspectives on sexuality, sexual behavior and relationships, concerns about commitment and sexual performance in a relationship, and attachment style. Results showed that aromantic asexual individuals identified more with asexuality, reported a more avoidant attachment style, and were more concerned with relationship commitment. In contrast, romantic asexual individuals reported less sex aversion, more sexual experiences (both past and current), and more sexual partners in the past. These individuals also engaged in romantic relationships more frequently in the past, had a stronger desire to engage in a romantic relationship in future (either with or without sexual intimacy), and were more concerned with sexual performance. Overall, our findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the need to consider romantic orientation when examining asexuality and its interpersonal outcomes.

     

Perceived Satisfaction and Inequity: A Survey of Potential Romantic Partners of People with a Disability

People with disabilities (PWD) may be stigmatized when dating. As suggested by previous research, people may avoid forming romantic relationships with PWD because they fear being stigmatized by association. We tested this explanation and proposed alternative reasons for the potential stigmatization of PWD. Specifically, we predicted that people may be less willing to date PWD because they stereotypically infer that such relationships may not be satisfying and may be inequitable, favoring the PWD more than themselves. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed 390 single people regarding their willingness to date a potential romantic partner with a physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, or health disability. People were first presented with partners who had a general type of disability and later with partners who had a specific physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, or health impairment. For each partner, we also measured the extent to which people (1) feared stigma by association, (2) perceived the relationship would not satisfy their physical and emotional needs, and (3) be inequitable. Fitting with our hypotheses, perceived relationship satisfaction positively predicted, and perceived inequity negatively predicted, willingness to date PWD. Stigma by association was unrelated to willingness to date PWD. Implications for stigma-reduction interventions and online dating programs are discussed.

     

Are romantic partners a source of college students' weight concern?

This study explored the importance of weight in college students' dating relationships and the expression of weight-related concerns between dating romantic partners. In a survey of 554 undergraduates, we found that overweight women were less likely to be dating than their peers, and that weight was positively correlated with relationship satisfaction in men, but negatively correlated with satisfaction in women. We also found that over 30% of students in exclusive relationships had either been told by their partner (or had told their partner) to gain or lose weight. While male partners were typically told to gain weight, female partners were as likely to be told to lose as gain weight. Women's weight-loss attempts and self-esteem were not related to being the targets of these comments, but women told to lose weight reported lower relationship satisfaction; men's self-esteem was not related to being the targets of these comments, but men told to gain weight reported lower relationship satisfaction. Although our results support prior research suggesting that weight is differentially important for men and women in romantic relationships, they challenge the hypothesis that individual romantic partners are a primary source of students' body dissatisfaction and weight concerns.     

Dating Issues for Women with Physical Disabilities

A study of dating issues for 250 single women with physical disabilities and 180 single women without disabilities was undertaken to determine (a) differences between women with and without disabilities and (b) predictors of dating outcomes for women with disabilities. A survey was sent to a national sample of women with disabilities along with a similar survey to give to a female friend without a disability. Dating outcomes included (a) satisfaction with dating frequency, (b) perceived constraints on attracting partners, (c) perceived personal barriers to dating, (d) perceived societal barriers to dating, and (e) perceived communication problems. Women with disabilities were disadvantaged on all but (e). Between 21% and 47% of the variance in the outcomes was accounted for in multiple regression analyses. Potential interventions suggested by the findings are discussed.     

Dyadic Sexual Desire in Romantic Relationships: The Dyadic Interactions Affecting Dyadic Sexual Desire Model

In most theoretical models, sexual desire for one’s partner is predominantly conceptualized from an individual perspective. There is, however, a growing body of empirical evidence on the dyadic aspects of sexual desire. That evidence is as yet not well-integrated into theoretical conceptualizations of sexual desire. Aiming to fill this gap, we present the Dyadic Interactions Affecting DyadIC Sexual desire model (DIADICS), a new conceptual model inspired by systems theory that describes how dyadic interactions between partners influence dyadic sexual desire in romantic relationships. After defining dyadic sexual desire, we discuss (1) the structure of dyadic interactions, (2) their content, and (3) the process through which they affect dyadic sexual desire in a romantic relationship. Thereafter, we review theoretical, clinical, and empirical insights underscoring the relation between dyadic interactions and (dyadic) sexual desire, use DIADICS as a framework for understanding fluctuations in dyadic sexual desire in long-term relationships, and conclude by discussing implications of DIADICS for research and clinical practice.

     

Sexual intercourse precedes partner violence in adolescent romantic relationships

PurposeTo examine whether psychological or physical violence between adolescent romantic partners is associated with the sexual intercourse status of the couple.MethodsThis study used a nationally representative sample of 6548 adolescents 12 to 21 years old from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Variables of interest include violence between partners, whether partners had sexual intercourse, and demographics such as respondent’s gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Bivariate comparisons of proportions and logistic regression models were used to analyze data.ResultsViolent victimization was more likely to occur in romantic relationships that included sexual intercourse: 37% of the respondents reporting sexual relationships experienced at least one form of verbal or physical violence victimization, compared with 19% of those reporting relationships with no sexual intercourse. In relationships characterized by both sexual intercourse and violence, sexual intercourse was significantly more likely to precede violence rather than the reverse, regardless of type of violent act.ConclusionsThe covariation of violent victimization and sexual intercourse in adolescent romantic relationships underscores the need for health and sex education programs to integrate instruction and guidance on multiple facets of romance and sexuality.     

Sibling Conversations About Dating and Sexuality: Sisters as Confidants,Sources of Support,and Mentors

Using an observational methodology to examine sibling communication, sisters (N = 28 dyads) were videotaped discussing their ideas about dating and sexuality. Social provision theory was used as a framework for the examination of roles enacted by sisters during these conversations. Inductive thematic analytic procedures were conducted, and three roles were identified: sisters as confidants, sources of support, and mentors. Older and younger sisters served as confidants and sources of support for one another, whereas older sisters were more likely to be mentors for their younger sisters than vice versa. Findings indicate the potential importance of sisters in the formation of adolescent girls' ideas about romantic relationships and sexuality, sibling communication as a socialization mechanism of sisters' similarities in romantic experiences and sexual behaviors/attitudes, and the inclusion of older sisters in prevention intervention programs focused on reducing adolescent sexual risk behaviors and promoting healthy romantic relationships and sexuality development.     

童年期被虐待经历对大学生恋爱暴力发生的影响

目的 了解大学生恋爱暴力的发生情况及童年期被虐待经历对大学生恋爱暴力发生的影响。方法 采用滚雪球抽样的方法,对北京市7所大学的1 130名大学生进行不记名自填式问卷调查。结果 1 130名大学生中50.8%最近一年有过恋爱经历,其中遭受和实施恋爱暴力的比例分别为16.9%和11.1%。遭受肢体暴力、情感虐待和性暴力的比例分别为14.1%、10.6%和9.9%,实施肢体暴力、情感虐待和性暴力的比例分别为8.0%、7.1%和3.7%。有509名(45.0%)大学生在童年期曾有被父母虐待的经历,其中被用力徒手打、用物品打、在其他人面前遭到羞辱和目睹父母打架或父母打兄弟姐妹的比例分别为41.6%、24.9%、13.1%和24.5%。具有童年期被虐待经历的大学生遭受和实施恋爱暴力的比例均高于童年期没有被虐待经历的大学生,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.005)。结论 大学生恋爱暴力问题不容忽视,童年期遭受父母虐待经历对大学生恋爱暴力的发生具有一定影响。