Diversity in Romantic Relations of Adolescents with Varying Health Status

Abstract

In a longitudinal study on adolescents varying in health status, the similarities and differences between adolescents’ close friendships and romantic relationships were analyzed. From a total of 91 diabetic and 107 healthy adolescents, a subsample of 95 adolescents who consistently had experiences with both relationships over 4 years was drawn. Information was obtained from semistructured interviews and the Network of Relationship Inventory. The results demonstrated important time-dependent links between intimacy in both relationship types in healthy adolescents. Despite considerable gains in intimacy toward close friends and romantic partners across time, diabetic adolescents did not focus as much on intimacy in their romantic relations as their healthy peers did but looked for romantic partners who could offer them security, support, and assistance in a stable relationship. Results emphasize that although intimacy with close friends is a normative precursor of later romantic relationships, there is still not a single path for romantic development.