Romantic Relationship Patterns and Quality Across the First Year of University

• Author / Creator

  Chen, Jiawen

• This study explored and identified six romantic relationship patterns (long-term relationship, intermittent relationships, emergent relationship, breakup, primarily sexual relationships, and single) across the first year of university in 186 Canadian students assessed at four points. Associations of these relationship patterns with romantic relationship quality (intimacy, affection, and conflict) and adjustment to university (academic and social) were also investigated. Results were that students engaged in a long-term relationship in the first year of university reported higher levels of romantic intimacy, affection, and conflict than those in other relationship patterns at the end of their first year. Relationship duration demonstrated a curvilinear association with intimacy and affection. Furthermore, latent growth modeling revealed that students who engaged in romantic relationships in the first year of university showed better social adjustment at the beginning of the first year than those who were single. Implications of the findings are discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Romantic relationships
  • Emerging adulthood

• Graduation date

  Fall 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3BS31

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.