When is the timing right? An empirical study of the outcomes of differential romantic initiation

what i really want to know is if the involvement during adolescence is predictive/influential upon relationships during emerging adulthood

i.e.- the impact of early romantic experiences on emerging adult relationships

Really address the critique from Manning, et al's chapter about the lack of research linking romantic involvement across developmental periods.

  • Independent
    • when first involved
      • timing by actual date listed for relationships
      • by wave 1 and 2 responses of yes/no
    • # of rels
      • can be reported at any of waves...
    • # of ri, rx, nr, sex rels
    • degree of involvement
      • average
      • highest degree of involvement (most intimate relationship experience)
      • greater involvement might prepare them for a more long term, intimate relatinship characteristic of emerging adulthood
    • duration of rels
    • concurrent rels
    • violent rr experiences
    • rr within social network
      • if within social network, may conform to rules, etc of group - may make the relationship publically recognized and therefore more serious or socially regulated so may be more likely to make future relationships publically sanctified and want these types of relationships
  • Controls
    • age
    • sex
    • parent edu
    • ethnicity
    • family structure
  • Outcomes
    • basic demographic shifts
      • cohab
      • marriage
      • divorce?
      • marital & nonmarital births
      • sexual partners
    • marriage attitudes
    • partner characteristics
    • violence
    • satisfied & inlove with partner
    • power, closeness
    • commitment
    • risky/safe romantic & sexual behaviors