3-029 - Conceptualizing and Enhancing Romantic Relationship Competence in Late Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Developing the capacity for romantic intimacy is a major developmental challenge of late adolescence and emerging adulthood. On the one hand, satisfying romantic relationships predict fewer mental and physical health problems in high school and college (Braithwaite, Develi, & Fincham, 2010). On the other hand, precocious involvement in sexual relationships is a risk factor for depression and externalizing behavior problems among younger adolescents (Davila, 2011). Therefore, it is essential to determine those skills and abilities that will help adolescents navigate romantic involvements competently. Moreover, teaching adolescents relationships skills may enhance their well-being as they negotiate romantic relationships.
The three papers of this symposium advance our understanding of the conceptualization of romantic competence during late adolescence and provide avenues for intervention. Papers 1 and 2 focus on the Romantic Competence Interview (Davila et al., 2009), an in-depth, semi-structured interview that explores three dimensions (Mutuality, Insight, and Emotion-Regulation) of romantic competence during mid-to-late adolescence. Building on previous work, these papers demonstrate that romantic competence can be reliably and validly assessed in emerging adult samples. Moreover, competence is associated with healthier relationship behaviors (conscious decision-making in relationships, greater ability to voice ones opinion in relationships) and with relationship satisfaction among young college students. Paper 3 demonstrates that a relationship education program targeting high school students builds romantic competence by providing adolescents a more realistic appraisal of romantic relationships and enhancing their conflict management skills. These papers will be discussed by a highly regarded scholar of romantic relationship development during adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Chair

• Jonathan F Mattanah, Towson University

Discussant

• Francis D Fincham, Sandels, FSU

Individual Presentations

• Romantic Competence in Emerging Adulthood: Construct Validity and Links with Relationship Satisfaction - Presenting Author: Jonathan F Mattanah, Towson University; Jennifer Daks, Towson University; Edward Frank Lomash, Towson State University; Brittnie L Gilman, Towson University; Shaina Ashley Kumar, Towson University; Melody McCormick, Towson University; Yelena Salkowitz, Towson University; Jiaqi Zhou, Towson University

• Romantic Competence among Female Emerging Adults: Associations with Relationship Behaviors and Individual Difference Variables - Presenting Author: Joanne Davila, SUNY Stony Brook; Jessica Latack, Stony Brook University; Vickie Bhatia, Stony Brook University; Brian Feinstein, Stony Brook University

• Adolescent Romanic Relationships: Findings from a 5-year Evaluation Study - Presenting Author: Jennifer Leigh Kerpelman, Auburn University; Joe F Pittman, Auburn University; Francesca Adler-Baeder, Auburn University