Adolescent Romantic Difficulties and Emerging Adulthood Health Risk Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Peer Relationships

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Topic - Social Relationships

Abstract

Romantic relationships in adolescence have been correlated with negative outcomes such as the presence of psychopathology and engagement in health-risk behaviors (Joyner & Udry, 2000; Thomas & Hsiu, 1993). However, romantic experiences in late adolescence have been less associated with these negative outcomes and more indicative of positive well-being in emerging adulthood (Collibee & Furnman, 2015). In light of this nuance, recent studies have demonstrated the importance of investigating how the quality of these relationships contribute to their predictive nature for psychosocial outcomes and influence the ways in which these relationships may serve as the foundation for future intimate relationships (Kansky & Allen, 2018). Given that high quality peer relationships act as protective factors for distress, further assessing their role in moderating the relationship between adolescent romantic relationship quality and later engagement in health-risk behaviors during this developmental period is a useful contribution (Conolly et al., 2014). A socio-economically diverse community sample of adolescents (N = 184) was assessed twice between ages 17 and 25:
At age 17, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Network of Relationships Inventory were administered to assess difficulties in relationships within familial and romantic contexts during adolescence. At age 25, participants completed the Network of Relationships Inventory regarding a close friendship. The presence and severity of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Substance use and sexual behavior were also assessed. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated interactions between reported antagonism in romantic relationships at age 17 and higher levels of both depression symptoms (β = 35, p < .0001) and anxiety (β = -.28, p < .05) that predicted less frequent use of protection during casual sex. Analyses focused on the moderating role of peer friendship quality demonstrated an interaction between antagonism in adolescent romantic relationships and higher levels of peer support at age 25 predicting total number of problems caused by substance use (β = -.17, p < .05; Figure 1), such that those who reported higher levels of support from a close peer at age 25 were less likely to have a greater total number of problems due to substance abuse. This interaction was also present between for conflict in romantic relationships and higher levels of peer support at age 25 (β = -.20, p < .05). Reported conflict in adolescent romantic relationships and higher levels of peer support at age 25 also predicted a lower likelihood of not using protection during casual sex (β = .28, p < .05; Figure 2). However, this was not the case for antagonism; those who experienced antagonism in adolescent romantic relationships and higher levels of reliable alliance at age 25 were more likely to forego protection during casual sex (β = -.57, p < .0001). These findings suggest the relationships between interpersonal conflict within adolescent romantic relationships and health risk behaviors during emerging adulthood are noteworthy, especially in the context of supportive peer relationships. Future directions, including mechanisms driving these relationships, will be discussed.

Authors

• Ariana Rivens, University of Virginia - Charlottesville
  Presenting Author

• Meghan A Costello, University of Virginia - Charlottesville
  Non-Presenting Author

• Emily Shaffer, University of Florida
  Non-Presenting Author

• David E. Szwedo, James Madison University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Joseph P Allen, University of Virginia - Charlottesville
  Non-Presenting Author