The Development of Romantic Relationships in Adolescence

Originally published in 2000, this was the first volume to examine adolescent romantic relationships.

Wyndol Furman (Edited by), B. Bradford Brown (Edited by), Candice Feiring (Edited by)

9780521181259, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 February 2011

462 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm, 0.67 kg

"...little research has been done in the area of romantic relationships in adolescence. Therefore, this is an important and interesting new topic of discussion." The Canadian Child Psychology Review

Although innumerable songs, poems, plays and movies have been written about adolescent romantic relationships, no scientific book has been written on that topic. Numerous volumes exist on adult romantic relationships and on adolescent sexuality, but this volume, first published in 2000, was the first to examine adolescent romantic relationships. A group of eminent investigators met to discuss the topic and were charged with the task of writing about their conceptualization of these relationships and of romantic experiences in adolescence. The papers cover the full range of aspects of romantic relationships, and examine general processes and individual differences within the general context of adolescent development. Each paper contains numerous provocative ideas that are designed to stimulate research on the topic.

1. Missing the boat: why researchers have shied away from adolescent romance B. Bradford Brown, Candice Feiring and Wyndol Furman
Part I. Processes in Romantic Relationships: 2. The emotions of romantic relationships: do they wreak havoc on adolescents? Reed W. Larson, Gerald L. Clore and Gretchen A. Wood
3. The nature and functions of social exchange in adolescent romantic relationships Bren Laursen and Lauri A. Jensen-Campbell
4. Cognitive representations of adolescent romantic relationships Wyndol Furman and Valerie A. Simon
5. Romantic and sexual development during adolescence Brad Benson
Part II. Individual Differences in Romantic Relationships: 6. Capacity for intimate relationships: a developmental construction W. Andrew Collins and L. Alan Sroufe
6. Rejection sensitivity and adolescent romantic relationships Geraldine Downey, Cheryl Bonica and Claudia Rincon
8. Sex, dating, passionate friendships and romance: intimate peer relations among lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents Lisa M. Diamond, Ritch C. Savin-Williams and Eric M. Dube
9. Gender identity and the development of romantic relationships in adolescence Candice Feiring
Part III. The Social Context of Romantic Relationships: 10. Adolescent romance and the parent–child relationship: a contextual perspective Marjory Roberts Gray and Laurence Steinberg
11. Romantic relationships in adolescence: the role of friends and peers in their emergence and development Jennifer Connolly and Adele Goldberg
12. You're going out with who?!: peer group influences on adolescent romantic relationships B. Bradford Brown
13. The cultured and culturing aspects of romantic experience in adolescence Deborah L. Coates
14. What's love got to do with it? Adolescents' and young adults' beliefs about sexual and romantic relationships Julia A. Graber, Pia R. Britto and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn
Part IV. Conclusion: 15. Love is a many splendored thing: next steps for theory and research Wyndol Furman, Candice Feiring and B. Bradford Brown.

Subject Areas: Child & developmental psychology [JMC]