Adolescent romantic relationships: a look from the future

Employing a narrative approach, 40 young adult romantic couples were interviewed about their current relationships as well as about their relationship with a romantic partner that lasted for at least about 2 months when they were aged 15 or 16. When analysed, the transcribed interviews were found to portray adolescent and young adulthood romantic relationships in different terms. Adolescent romance was described more as a form of companionship and was valued for its experiences of totality and enthusiasm. Young adulthood romance, by contrast, was described more as a mature relationship characterized by trust, support, and stability. In addition, adolescent romance was described as less enjoyable, enduring more relationship problems. Males and females described differently their adolescent romance in relation to the quality of their current romantic relationship. Males, but not females, related a current more positive perception of the relationship to a more positive perception of adolescent romance. Adolescent romance is discussed within the framework of the developmental processes that characterize the development of romantic relationships.