Relationship Churning in Emerging Adulthood: On/Off Relationships and Sex with an Ex

Overview

Journal J Adolesc Res

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2014 Feb 19

PMID 24535913

Citations 33

Authors

Sarah Halpern-Meekin

Wendy D Manning

Peggy C Giordano

Monica A Longmore

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We build on the emerging adulthood and marital reconciliation literatures to examine two forms of relationship instability: reconciliations and sex with an ex. Analyzing recent data on young adult daters and cohabitors (n = 792), we find that nearly half report a reconciliation (breakup followed by reunion) and over half of those who break up continue a sexual relationship (sex with an ex). In this young adult sample, cohabitors experience greater relationship churning than daters. We describe individual demographic, social psychological, and relationship factors associated with reconciliations and sex with an ex. These findings showcase that young adult relationships are characterized by considerable volatility and add to our theoretical and empirical understanding of stability in intimate relationships in emerging adulthood.

Citing Articles

Gender Differences in Variability in Intimate Relationship Satisfaction: A Secondary Analysis and Meta-Analysis.

Whisman M, Balzert A Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2024; 27(4):1167-1187.

PMID: 39369367 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-024-00499-y.

Inducing jealousy and intimate partner violence among young adults.

Kaufman-Parks A, Longmore M, Giordano P, Manning W J Soc Pers Relat. 2023; 36(9):2802-2823.

PMID: 37235138 PMC: 10211485. DOI: 10.1177/0265407518802451.

Gender, Relationship Concerns, and Intimate Partner Violence in Young Adulthood.

Giordano P, Grace M, Manning W, Longmore M J Fam Violence. 2023; 38(4):597-609.

PMID: 37206578 PMC: 10191165. DOI: 10.1007/s10896-022-00399-1.

Romantic Unions and Mental Health: The Role of Relationship Churning.

Halpern-Meekin S, Turney K J Health Soc Behav. 2022; 64(2):243-260.

PMID: 36259176 PMC: 10246423. DOI: 10.1177/00221465221126091.

Adapting a Coparenting-Focused Prevention Program for Latinx Adolescent Parents in a School Context.

Perez-Brena N, Toews M, Feinberg M, Anders K Fam Process. 2021; 61(1):91-107.

PMID: 33951202 PMC: 9292999. DOI: 10.1111/famp.12651.

References

Civic D . College students' reasons for nonuse of condoms within dating relationships. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000; 26(1):95-105. DOI: 10.1080/009262300278678. View

Cohen J, Manning W . The Relationship Context of Premarital Serial Cohabitation. Soc Sci Res. 2014; 39(5). PMC: 3874393. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2010.04.011. View

Bumpass L, Martin T, Sweet J . The impact of family background and early marital factors on marital disruption. J Fam Issues. 1991; 12(1):22-42. DOI: 10.1177/019251391012001003. View

Manning W, Smock P . Why marry? Race and the transition to marriage among cohabitors. Demography. 1995; 32(4):509-20. View

Kennedy S, Bumpass L . Cohabitation and children's living arrangements: New estimates from the United States. Demogr Res. 2009; 19:1663-1692. PMC: 2612998. DOI: 10.4054/demres.2008.19.47. View

McLanahan S . Diverging destinies: how children are faring under the second demographic transition. Demography. 2004; 41(4):607-27. DOI: 10.1353/dem.2004.0033. View

Bramlett M, Mosher W . Cohabitation, marriage, divorce, and remarriage in the United States. Vital Health Stat 23. 2002; (22):1-93. View

Keller M . Why don't young adults protect themselves against sexual transmission of HIV? Possible answers to a complex question. AIDS Educ Prev. 1993; 5(3):220-33. View

Mirowsky J, Ross C . Control or defense? Depression and the sense of control over good and bad outcomes. J Health Soc Behav. 1990; 31(1):71-86. View

10.

Gold R, Karmiloff-Smith A, Skinner M, Morton J . Situational factors and thought processes associated with unprotected intercourse in heterosexual students. AIDS Care. 1992; 4(3):305-23. DOI: 10.1080/09540129208253101. View

11.

Arnett J . Emerging adulthood. A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. Am Psychol. 2000; 55(5):469-80. View

12.

Furman W, Buhrmester D . Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Dev. 1992; 63(1):103-15. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1992.tb03599.x. View

13.

Arriaga X . The ups and downs of dating: fluctuations in satisfaction in newly formed romantic relationships. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2001; 80(5):754-65. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.80.5.754. View

14.

Sprecher S . "I love you more today than yesterday": romantic partners' perceptions of changes in love and related affect over time. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1999; 76(1):46-53. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.76.1.46. View