Collins, A. W., Welsh, D. P. & Furman, W. (2009). Adolescent Romantic Relationships.

Question 1

What is the article “Collins et al. 2009 “ about?

Answer 1

The article is review of theoretical and empirical advances in research on romantic relationships between age 10 and early twenties

Question 2

What are the five summary points of the article?

Answer 2

1. Participation common and increasing.
2. Research shift.
3. Methodological challenges.
4. Significance to individuals.
5. The 15-17 shift.

Question 3

What do we know about the participation in romantic relationships in adolescence?

Answer 3

We know that having a mutual romantic interest in or actively dating someone is common and of longer duration than has been assumed. Participation increases steadily throughout adolscence.

Question 4

Collins et al. talks about a shift in research on this topic. What were researchers concerned about previously as opposed to now?

Answer 4

Since 1999, research on adolescent romantic relationships has shifted from a descriptive focus to an interest in the content and qualities of the relationships and their correlates and potential sequelae for individuals.

Question 5

Which methodological challenges lies in the research of adolescent relationships?

Answer 5

Methodological challenges include establishing workable operational definitions, obtaining representative samples, caputring relationships that are often unstable or of short duration, and applying statistical methods appropriate for nonindependent data sources.