There is growing sociological interest in romantic relationships during the period of adolescence. However, most prior research focuses on the adolescent time period and very little on emerging adulthood, a distinct period where adolescent social networks gradually shift as adulthood approaches. Previous studies on adulthood emphasize the role of marriage and employment as processes in general and as an influence on behaviors such as criminal activity, but not much is known about the dynamic processes that affect romantic partner influence during emerging adulthood. Contributing heavily to the wealth of research relating peers to delinquency, Haynie et al. (2005) find that peers and romantic partners are associated with adolescent delinquency and arguably romantic partners become more salient as adolescents mature into adulthood.
With age and maturity, romantic partners may become more important as a source of reference, support and influence- but most of the research on romantic partner influences on antisocial and prosocial behavior focuses on adult marriage effects. The current study relies on a mixed methods approach to explore the extent to which and mechanisms through which romantic partners influence individuals in prosocial and antisocial directions. The study examines direct and indirect influences through an assessment of the ways in which young adults describe romantic partners'influence on attitudes, future goals and behavior.
The study utilizes quantitative data to note developmental trends from adolescence into emerging adulthood along with in-depth interviews with 92 youths ages 17 to 23, including an oversample of high risk respondents from the Toledo Adolescent Research Study (TARS). The use of these retrospective life history narratives also reveals developmental trends, as respondents highlight ways in which they have changed as they have matured into adulthood. Finally, the study explores variability within the qualitative sample, with the goal of developing dating profiles including distinctive patterns of dating/romantic partner effects throughout respondents'dating histories.
Quantitative results indicate that older respondents spend less time with their friends than younger respondents, suggesting that friends become less of a source of reference and support as adolescents mature into emerging adulthood. Additionally, older currently-dating respondents report seeing less of their friends than their younger counterparts, indicating that social dynamics shift as adolescents move into emerging adulthood. Older currently-dating respondents also report being more influenced by their partner relative to younger respondents. Females are less likely to be influenced by their romantic partner, but females and males are equally likely to spend less time with friends while dating. The significance of cohabitation status as a complicating facotor is also explored. In conclusion, quantitative results indicate that the romantic partner is beginning to supersede the influence of friends during emerging adulthood.
Qualitative results show that respondents can be positively and/or negatively affected by their romantic partners. Four domains of partner influence mentioned most often across respondents'life history narratives include: delinquency/antisocial behavior, educational goals, financial/career concerns and pregnancy. Specific mechanisms of partner influence are discussed within each domain. Lastly, respondents were given the opportunity to reference past romantic relationships and note progression throughout previous relationships. Most respondents perceive the current-self as more positive/prosocial than in the past. In addition, life history narratives show that not being in a romantic relationship can actually be a learning experience. In fact, educational goals are mentioned most often as a reason for limiting dating involvement. The study emphasizes the merit of emerging adulthood as a distinct period in the life course and informs the design of future research.