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Non-exclusivity in adolescent girls' romantic relationships
Mary B Short1, Paul A Succop, Lisa Mills
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-0319, USA. mbshort@utmb.edu
Background And Objectives:
As adolescents develop intimate relationships skills, they might change romantic partners often. Little is known about this developmental phenomenon.
Goal:
The goal was to determine the frequency of non-exclusive romantic relationships in girls, the variables associated with non-exclusive relationships, and the variables associated with having sexual intercourse in a non-exclusive relationship.
Study Design:
Girls (12-15 years of age) participated in a longitudinal study (3 y, 7 visits) of romantic relationships.
Results:
Seventy-two of 160 girls had a non-exclusive relationship, and of these, 23 girls had intercourse in an outside relationship. Younger age, belief that the boyfriend had an outside relationship, and less parental indirect monitoring was associated with the girl having an outside relationship. A longer time being sexually experienced and less direct parental monitoring was associated with having intercourse in the outside relationship.
Conclusion:
Non-exclusivity in adolescence is common but does not always include sexual intercourse. Healthcare providers can address non-exclusivity with adolescents directly.