Correlates and Patterns of Adolescents' First Romantic Relationships in Three Low- and Middle-Income Countries

This study characterizes adolescent romantic relationships in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with varied and evolving family systems.

Adolescent relationships matter for young people's future outcomes and development. These relationships vary widely, from short-term, casual relationships to more sustained and emotionally engaged relationships. They can also serve as precursors to family formation as young people approach adulthood, particularly in contexts where companionate marriage is normative and where the age at marriage and childbearing has increased. However, there is limited empirical research focused on adolescent romantic relationships outside of high-income countries in North America and Western Europe.

Using data from the FAMELO project, we examine the covariates and characteristics of adolescents' first romantic relationships in Jalisco, Mexico; Gaza province, Mozambique; and Chitwan Valley, Nepal. We use logistic regressions to examine the likelihood of adolescents reporting relationship experience and latent class analysis (LCA) to characterize adolescent romantic relationship types.

Compared to peers without relationship experience, adolescents who engage in romantic relationships are more likely to be older, male, feel more like adults, and report lower caregiver supervision. LCA results show substantial variation in the prevalence and types of romantic relationships that adolescents experience in distinct international contexts.

Our findings highlight the importance of studying variation in adolescent romantic relationships, particularly in LMIC contexts, for more fully understanding shifting family formation trends.