Romantic involvement and depressive symptoms in early and late adolescence: The role of a preoccupied relational style

Abstract

Two studies examined the association between depressive symptoms and romantic involvement in adolescence and tested the hypothesis that romantic involvement is associated more strongly with symptoms among adolescents who have a more preoccupied style of relating, compared to adolescents who have a less preoccupied style of relating. Study 1 (N = 96 early adolescent females) examined concurrent associations and Study 2 (N = 80 late adolescent males and females) examined longitudinal associations. In both age groups, romantic involvement was associated with greater depressive symptoms and this was most true among adolescents with a preoccupied style of relating. Implications for models of depression and adolescent romantic functioning are discussed.

Clarifying co‐rumination: Associations with internalizing symptoms and romantic involvement among adolescent girls

“…Like co-rumination, romantic experiences are associated with adolescent depression (Davila, Steinberg, Kachadourian, Cobb, & Fincham, 2004;Joyner & Udry, 2000). Given the developmental salience of romantic experiences in early adolescence and the importance of peer influence on the formation of early romantic relationships (Brown, 1999;Connolly & Goldberg, 1999), it seems likely that co-ruminating teens would often discuss problems associated with romantic desires, experiences, and failures.…”

Adolescent Marital Expectations and Romantic Experiences: Associations With Perceptions About Parental Conflict and Adolescent Attachment Security

“…Although the bulk of this evidence comes from studies of adults, Collins et al (2002) successfully used a similar measure (the Hazan and Shaver three-paragraph measure; Hazan and Shaver, 1987) with a large sample of adolescents. Furthermore, our own data set demonstrates preliminary psychometric properties for the RQ in an adolescent sample (Davila et al, 2004).…”

Effects of Adolescent Depressive Symptoms, Pubertal Development, and Interpersonal Relationship Satisfaction on Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adolescent Romantic Couples

“…Past research identified adolescent romantic involvement as an important correlate of depressive symptoms (e.g., Davila et al, 2004;Joyner & Udry, 2000;Larson et al, 1999;Monroe et al, 1999). Overall, findings from these studies reveal that adolescents involved in a romantic relationship and/or are steady or frequent daters report more depressive symptoms than adolescents not romantically involved and/or are not steady or frequent daters.…”

“…These experiences can challenge adolescents' coping skills and self-concepts, particularly among adolescent girls who begin to date early (i.e., before age 14) or who date frequently (e.g., Carlson & Rose, 2007;Davies & Windle, 2000;Davila, 2007;Davila, Steinberg, Kachadourian, Cobb, & Fincham, 2004;Joyner & Udry, 2000;Larson & Asmussen, 1991;Monroe, Rhode, Seeley, & Lewinsohn, 1999;Quatman, Sampson, Robinson, & Watson, 2001). For example, in a cross-sectional study of early-adolescent girls (N = 96; mean age = 13.24 years), Davila et al (2004) found that girls who reported current or past involvement in a romantic relationship reported greater depressive symptoms than girls with no romantic involvement. Monroe et al (1999) found that thinking about relationship disturbances was linked to depressed mood, especially among girls.…”