Table of Contents | Previous | Next |
Adolescent Romantic Relationships as Precursors of Healthy Adult Marriages
This report may contain external links. ACF cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by external links. Providing links to a non-ACF Website does not constitute an endorsement by ACF or any of its employees of the sponsors of the site or the information or products presented on the site. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the ACF domain (see ACF's Privacy Policy) may not be available at the external link.
Trends in Marriage, Cohabitation, and Child-Bearing
Supporting Healthy Marriages: Where to Intervene?
Are the Seeds of Healthy Marriages Sown in Adolescence?
Adolescent Romantic Relationships: the State of the Field
Objectives and Scope of is Report
Organization of the Report
Defining Terms
2. Describing Adolescents’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors with Respect to Romantic Relationships
Data Sources
National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)
National Survey of Adolescent Males (NSAM)
National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY)Limitations of the Available Data
Adolescents’ Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Dating and Romance
Adolescents’ Expectations and Attitudes About Marriage, Cohabitation, and Divorce
Correlates of Adolescents’ Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Romantic Relationships
Sexual Experience
Parents and Peers
MediaAdolescents’ Behaviors in Romantic Relationships
Duration of Adolescent Romantic Relationships
Degree of Involvement Between Partners
Number of Romantic and Sexual Relationships in Adolescence
Characteristics of Romantic Partners in Adolescence
Intimate Partner Violence in AdolescenceSummary and Conclusions
3. Theoretical Perspectives on Adolescent Relationships and Adult Development
Attachment Theory
Summary of the Theory
Evaluating the Theory
Implications for InterventionThe Lifespan Development Perspective
Summary of the Theory
Evaluating the Theory
Implications for InterventionThe Development of Early Adult Romantic Relationships (DEARR) Model
Summary of the Theory
Evaluating the Theory
Implications for InterventionIntegration: Assembling a Model of the Precursors of Adult Romantic Relationships
Antecedent Conditions
Adolescence
Adulthood
Evaluating the Model
Implications for InterventionSummary
The Scope and Procedures of is Review
Comments on Methodological Issues
Lack of Agreement on Definitions of Key Terms
Lack of Data from Representative Samples
Lack of Longitudinal Data
Failure to Acknowledge Age Differences Within Adolescence
Reliance on Data from Individuals Rather an Couples
Reliance on Self-Report Data
Inadequate Controls for Exogenous Variables
ConclusionsAntecedents of Adolescent Romantic Relationships
Family of Origin
Individual CharacteristicsCorrelates of Adolescent Romantic Relationships
Peer Groups
Qualities of the Relationship
Partner Characteristics
Beliefs and AttitudesImmediate Consequences of Adolescent Romantic Relationships for Adolescents
Psychological Well-Being
Sexual Behavior and Contraception
Intimate Partner Violence
Substance Abuse and Academic AchievementConsequences of Adolescent Romantic Relationships for Outcomes in Adulthood
Summary and Conclusions
5. Review of Relationship Education Programs for Adolescents
The Goals of Relationship Education for Adolescents and Youth
The Formats of Relationship Education
Relationship and Marital Education (RME) Curricula
Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Textbooks
Character Education (CE) Curricula
Abstinence Education (AE) Curricula
National Organization InitiativesAre Relationship Education Curricula Effective?
Are Major Relationship Education Curricula Aligned with the Research Base?
Immediate Context
Individual Differences
Attitudes and Beliefs
Relationship BehaviorPractical Concerns in Delivering Relationship Education Curricula to Low-Income Youth
The Need for More Culturally Appropriate Curricula
Problem with Curricula Overlooking Young Parents
Insufficient Implementation Tools
Questions About the Age-Appropriateness of Some Curricula Components
Need for Training in the Logistics of Serving At-Risk Youth
Marketing Relationship Education to Adult DecisionmakersSummary and Conclusions
6. Future Directions for Research and Intervention
Immediate Priorities for Research on Adolescent Romantic Relationships
Strategies for Programs and Curricula Aimed at Adolescent Relationships
Strategies Addressing Antecedent Conditions
Strategies Addressing Relationships in Adolescence
Strategies Addressing the Consequences of Relationships for Adult OutcomesFuture Directions for Interventions Targeting Adolescent Relationships
Discuss Goals and Objectives of These Programs Explicitly
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Existing Programs
Coordinate with Other Services Offered to AdolescentsConclusion
| Table of Contents | Previous | Next |