Relationship Churning in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

We build on the emerging adulthood and marital reconciliation literatures to examine two forms of relationship instability: reconciliations and sex with an ex. Analyzing recent data on young adult daters and cohabitors (n = 792), we find that nearly half report a reconciliation (breakup followed by reunion) and over half of those who break up continue a sexual relationship (sex with an ex). In this young adult sample, cohabitors experience greater relationship churning than daters. We describe individual demographic, social psychological, and relationship factors associated with reconciliations and sex with an ex. These findings showcase that young adult relationships are characterized by considerable volatility and add to our theoretical and empirical understanding of stability in intimate relationships in emerging adulthood.

Machiavellianism and romantic relationship dissolution

“…Of course many people maintain friendships with previous partners (Mogilski & Welling, 2016) or experience relationship churning i.e., sexual activity with a former partner or an on / off cycle of break-up and reconciliation (Halpern-Meekin, et al 2012). These provide opportunities for further exploitation; therefore the use of indirect strategies may reflect a desire to exploit the partner after the break up.…”

“…Specifically, women with higher Machiavellianism are predicted to employ subtle strategies to end their romantic relationship that serve to reduce conflict and protect their reputation. These strategies may also retain opportunities for exploitation and manipulation of their former partner, of particular importance given the number of women who retain contact with ex partners either as a friend or lover (Halpern-Meekin, Manning, Giordano, & Longmore, 2012;Mogilski & Welling, 2016).…”

The Impact of Premarital Cycling on Early Marriage

“…Dailey, Pfiester, Jin, Beck, & Clark, 2009;Vennum, Lindstrom, Monk, & Adams, in press), referred to as relationship cycling (Dailey, Pfiester, et al, 2009) or churning (Halpern-Meekin, Manning, Giordano, & Longmore, 2012). Compared to couples who are stably together, couples who end and renew their relationships report lower commitment and satisfaction, poorer communication, greater uncertainty about the future of their relationship, and experience higher levels of verbal abuse and physical violence (e.g.…”

Gender and Casual Sexual Activity From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood: Social and Life Course Correlates

“…For example, Bailey and colleagues (2008) examined a longitudinal sample of adolescents ( N = 834) and found that those who experienced risky sexual behavior during high school were more likely to report casual sexual activity six months after high school graduation. Further, casual sex may have occurred with ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends (Fielder & Carey, 2010b; Halpern-Meekin, Manning, Giordano, & Longmore, 2013; Manning et al, 2006); thus, the experience of having a past committed relationship may lead to a greater number of casual sexual relationships later in the life course. The use of longitudinal data permitted assessments of whether the number of adolescent dating relationships influenced changes in casual sexual behavior from adolescence into emerging adulthood.…”

“…Much prior research assumed that these were mutually exclusive types of relationships, but a great deal of relationship churning, involving breaking up and getting back together, occurs during emerging adulthood (Halpern-Meekin et al, 2013), which may lead to “on again/off again” sexual relationships. Individuals who participated in casual sex were often also involved in committed or dating relationships (Armstrong, Hamilton, & England, 2010; Siebenbruner, 2013).…”