M. C. Kawaguchi

Power and Psychological Well-Being in Late Adolescent Romantic Relationships

Using Olsen and Cromwells (1975) three facetsof interpersonal power (power in resources, process, andoutcomes), we examined the balance of power in lateadolescent romantic relationships and the associations between interpersonal power, adolescentsself-esteem, and depression. Participants were 61adolescent couples who were primarily European-American(90% of girls and 93% of boys), with the remainder being comprised of approximately 2-3% each of NativeAmerican, Asian, African American, and Hispanicindividuals. We assessed power in terms of access toemotional resources, control during video-tapedinteraction, and control over decision-making. Overall,couples were more likely to be described by themselvesand by independent observers as egalitarian, with themajority of couples equally contributing emotional resources, sharing power in interaction, andsharing decision-making responsibility. However,romantic relationships characterized by inequality inthe contribution of emotional resources and indecisionmaking were associated with greater psychologicalsymptomatology, especially for females.

Interaction and Relationship Quality in Late Adolescent Romantic Couples

This study examined the association between late adolescent romantic couple members’ interaction and their overall relationship quality. Stepwise regression analyses were used to predict couple members’ global self-reports of relationship quality from their own ratings of their interaction. Positive and negative behaviors, as well as patterns of interaction, were associated with relationship quality, with different patterns of association emerging for males and females. Girlfriends’ global reports of relationship quality were predicted from their perceptions of their boyfriends’ conflict and harmony, or the balance of supportive and conflictual behaviors in the interaction. In contrast, boyfriends’ global reports of relationship quality were predicted from their perceptions of their own support and their ratings of their own willingness to accept influence from their girlfriends. Gender differences in patterns of association are discussed in light of current theories of the development of romantic and peer relationships.

Commitment and Sexual Behaviors in Adolescent Dating Relationships

Adolescence marks the long transition between childhood and adulthood. On their journey to adulthood, adolescents face a variety of developmental tasks, including the exploration of and experimentation with individual identities, attitudes, and commitments, the initiation and development of friendships and romantic relationships, and experimentation with expressions of sexuality. A central social context for accomplishing these tasks is romantic dating relationships, making such relationships a crucial area for developmental research.