Adolescence, Romantic Relationships in

Romantic relationships during adolescence, as in other life periods, are mutually acknowledged ongoing voluntary interactions. Compared to other relationships with peers, romantic ones typically have a distinctive intensity, commonly marked by expressions of affection and current or anticipated sexual behavior. This definition applies to same-gender, as well as mixed-gender, dyadic relationships. The term romantic experiences refers to a larger category of activities and cognitions that do not involve direct experiences with a romantic partner but that are relevant to individual and social development during adolescence. This category includes fantasies and one-sided attractions or crushes, as well as interactions with potential romantic partners or brief romantic encounters (e.g., hooking up).

Developmental changes in romantic experiences occur during the adolescent years (commonly, ages 12–18) and extend well into the 20s (now commonly called emerging adulthood). These normative patterns, however, mask considerable variability. Although most studies have been conducted in industrialized societies, most typically in North America, romantic experiences during adolescence are determined largely by the cultural context. Same-gender romantic experiences, though rarely studied before adulthood, clearly overlap with those of heterosexual youth but also involve somewhat different interpersonal processes and contextual factors.

Although conceptualizations of adolescent romantic relationships have been remarkably consistent across existing studies, no standard operational definitions exist, nor has the broader domain of romantic experiences been well specified. Researchers typically have asked participants if they have a romantic relationship, and the participants decide on the basis of their own definition. A brief description is sometimes provided (e.g., “When you like a guy [or girl] and he [or she] likes you back”) for clarification. Researchers often also specify a minimum duration (e.g., at least a month long) in an effort to narrow the criteria. Differences in definition affect estimates of the frequency and duration of romantic relationships and perhaps even the findings that are obtained.

The sections that follow outline common features of adolescent romantic experiences and research findings regarding changes in romantic experiences and behaviors from ages 12 to 18.