Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T12:27:05.133Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

How Much Does Love Really Hurt? A Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Romantic Relationship Quality, Breakups and Mental Health Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 February 2017

Anca Mirsu-Paun  and
Jason A. Oliver
Anca Mirsu-Paun*
Affiliation:
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Jason A. Oliver
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Anca Mirsu-Paun, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021, Strada Dionisie Lupu 37, Bucharest 030167, Romania Bucharest, Romania. Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

A meta-analysis of 20 manuscripts reporting on 21 unique studies (N = 19,623) was conducted to investigate the magnitude of the association between adolescent romantic relationship quality (RRQ), romantic relationship breakups (RRB) and mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, suicide ideation, deliberate self-harm, and suicide attempt). Potential moderators of these relationships were also explored. The sample included U.S. and non-U.S. adolescents (13–17 years old), and young adults (18–29 years old). Results indicated statistically significant but modest relationships between both RRQ and RRB and mental health, with the first showing a stronger association. There was some evidence suggesting this relationship may be stronger for women, but no evidence it differed as a function of nationality or age. Additional research is needed to address the distinction between clinical and non-clinical populations on specific outcomes and to further explore the role of mental health outcomes as related to romantic relationship quality and breakups. Implications for practice include the need for (a) services to individuals emotionally affected by romantic relationships, (b) relationship quality psycho-education, and (c) screenings of individuals at risk due to low romantic relationship quality or recent relationship breakup.

Keywords

romantic relationshipsbreakupsdepressionself-harmmeta-analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 8 , 2017 , e5
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Article References

Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy theory: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191–215.Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37, 122–147.Google Scholar
Beck, A.T., & Steer, R.A. (1987). Manual for the Revised Beck Depression Inventory. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.Google Scholar
Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Blatt, S.J., D'Afflitti, J.P., & Quinlan, D.M. (1976). Experiences of depression in normal young adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85, 383–389.Google Scholar
Brown, B.B. (2006). A few ‘course corrections’ to Collins and Van Dulmen's ‘The course of true love’. In Crouter, A.C. & Booth, A. (Eds.), Romance and sex in adolescence and emerging adulthood: Risks and opportunities (pp. 113–123). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Chen, Z., Guo, F., Yang, X., Li, X., Duan, Q., Zhang, J., & Ge, X. (2009). Emotional and behavioral effects of romantic relationships in Chinese adolescents. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 38, 1282–1293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cloutier, P.F., & Nixon, M.K. (2003). The Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory: A preliminary evaluation (Abstracts). European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 12 (Suppl 1), I/94.Google Scholar
Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155–159.Google Scholar
Collins, W.A. (2003). More than myth: The developmental significance of romantic relationships during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13, 1–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Connolly, J., & McIsaac, C. (2009). Adolescents’ explanations for romantic dissolutions: a developmental perspective. Journal of Adolescence, 32, 1209–1223.Google Scholar
Daley, S., & Hammen, C. (2002). Depressive symptoms and close relationships in late adolescence: Perspectives from dysphoric young women, their best friends, and their romantic partners. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 129–141.Google Scholar
Davila, J. (2008). Depressive symptoms and adolescent romance: Theory, research, and implications. Child Development Perspectives, 2, 26–31.Google Scholar
Davila, J., Steinberg, S., Kachadourian, L., Cobb, R., & Fincham, F. (2004). Romantic involvement and depressive symptoms in early and late adolescence: The role of a preoccupied relational style. Personal Relationships, 11, 161–178.Google Scholar
Derogatis, L.R. (1983). SCL-90-R: Administration, scoring & procedures manual-II. Towson, MD: Clinical Psychometric Research.Google Scholar
DerSimonian, R., & Laird, N. (1986). Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Controlled Clinical Trials, 7, 177–188.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Donald, M., Dower, J., Correa-Velez, I., & Jones, M. (2005). Risk and protective factors for medically serious suicide attempts: A comparison of hospital-based with population-based samples of young adults. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40, 87–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duval, S., & Tweedie, R. (2000). Trim and fill: A simple funnel-plot-based method of testing and adjusting for publication bias in meta-analysis. Biometrics, 56, 455–463.Google Scholar
Egger, M.G., Davey Smith, G., Schneider, M., & Minder, C. (1997). Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. British Medical Journal, 315, 629–634.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fergusson, D.M., & Lynskey, M.T. (1995). Childhood circumstances, adolescent adjustment and suicide attempts in a New Zealand birth cohort. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 612–622.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Funk, J.L., & Rogge, R.D. (2007). Testing the ruler with item response theory: Increasing precision of measurement for relationship satisfaction with the couples satisfaction index. Journal of Family Psychology, 21, 572–583.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Furman, W. (2002). The emerging field of adolescent romantic relationships. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, 177–180.Google Scholar
Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1985). Children's perceptions of the personal relationships in their social networks. Developmental Psychology, 21, 1016–1024.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Furman, W., & Shaffer, L. (2003). The role of romantic relationships in adolescent development. In Florsheim, P. (Ed.), Adolescent romantic relations and sexual behavior (pp. 3–22). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Gallaty, K., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M.J. (2008). The social and emotional worlds of adolescents who are psychologically maltreated by their partners. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 310–323.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galliher, R.V., Rostosky, S.S., Welsh, D.P., & Kawaguchi, M.C. (1999). Power and psychological well-being in late adolescent romantic relationships. Sex Roles, 40, 689–710.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gotlib, I., Lewinsohn, P., & Seeley, J. (1998). Consequences of depression during adolescence: Marital status and marital functioning in early adulthood. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 107, 686–690.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hammen, C., Adrian, C., Gordon, D., Burge, D., Jaenicke, C., & Hiroto, D. (1987). Children of depressed mothers: Maternal strain and symptom predictors of dysfunction. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 96, 190–198.Google Scholar
Hendrick, S.S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 93–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hendrick, S.S., Dicke, A., & Hendrick, C. (1998). The relationship assessment scale. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 137–142.Google Scholar
Hien, D., Matzner, J.J., First, M.B., Spitzer, R.L., Gibbon, M., & Williams, J.B.W. (1999). Structured Clinical Interview for DSM- IV — Child Edition (KID-SCID version 1.0). New York, NY: Columbia University.Google Scholar
Joyner, K., & Udry, J.R. (2000). You don't bring me anything but down: Adolescent romance and depression. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 41, 369–391.Google Scholar
Kandel, D.B., & Davies, M. (1982). Epidemiology of depressed mood in adolescents. An empirical study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 39, 1205–1212.Google Scholar
Karney, B.R., & Bradbury, T.N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, method, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118, 3–34.Google Scholar
Kasian, M., & Painter, S.L. (1992). Frequency and severity of psychological abuse in a dating population. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 7, 350–364.Google Scholar
Kirkpatrick, L.A., & Davis, K.E. (1994). Attachment style, gender, and relationship stability: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66, 502–512.Google Scholar
Kovacs, M. (1985). The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 21, 995–998.Google Scholar
La Greca, A., & Harrison, H.M. (2005). Adolescent peer relations, friendships, and romantic relationships: Do they predict social anxiety and depression? Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 49–61.Google Scholar
Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Marchand-Reilly, J.F. (2009). Depressive symptoms in young adults: The role of attachment orientations and romantic relationship conflict. Journal of Adult Development, 16, 31–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mastekaasa, A. (1997) Marital dissolution as a stressor: Some evidence on psychological, physical, and behavioral changes during the preseparation period. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 26, 155–183.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matzner, F., Silva, R., Silvan, M., Chowdhury, M., & Nastasi, L. (1997, May). Preliminary test-retest reliability of the KID-SCID. Paper presented at the 150th annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, San Diego, CA.Google Scholar
Mearns, J. (1991). Coping with a breakup: Negative mood regulation expectancies and depression following the end of a romantic relationship. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 327–334.Google Scholar
Monroe, S.M., Rohde, P., Seeley, J.R., & Lewinsohn, P.M. (1999). Life events and depression in adolescence: Relationship loss as a prospective risk factor for first onset major depressive disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 108, 606–614.Google Scholar
Morris, C.E., & Reiber, C. (2011). Frequency, intensity and expression of post-relationship grief. EvoS Journal, 31, 1–11.Google Scholar
Natsuaki, M.N., Klimes-Dougan, B., Ge, X., Shirtclif, E.A., Hastings, P., & Zahn-Waxler, C. (2009). Early pubertal maturation and internalizing problems: Sex differences in the role of cortisol reactivity to social stress. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38, 1–12.Google Scholar
Naughton, M., Oppenheim, A., & Hill, J. (1996). Assessment of personality functioning in the transition from adolescent to adult life: Preliminary findings. British Journal of Psychiatry, 168, 33–37.Google Scholar
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2001). Gender differences in depression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 173–176.Google Scholar
Peterson, R.A., & Brown, S.P. (2005). On the use of beta coefficients in meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90, 175–181.Google Scholar
Radloff, L. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 385–401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reynolds, W.M. (1987). Reynold's Adolescent Depression Scale: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.Google Scholar
Reynolds, W.M., & Kobak, K.A. (1995). Reliability and validity of the Hamilton Depression Inventory: A paper-and-pencil version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Clinical Interview. Psychological Assessment, 7, 472–483.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenthal, R. (1979). The ‘file drawer problem’ and tolerance for null results. Psychological Bulletin, 86, 638–641.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rubenstein, J.L., & Feldman, S.S. (1993). Conflict-resolution behavior in adolescent boys: Antecedents and adaptational correlates. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 3, 41–66.Google Scholar
Simpson, J.A. (1990). Influence of attachment styles on romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 971–980.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spanier, G.B. (1976). Measuring dyadic adjustment: New scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 38, 15–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Straus, M.A., Hamby, S.L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D.B. (1996). The revised conflict tactics scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316.Google Scholar
Tolman, R.M. (1989). The development of a measure of psychological maltreatment of women by their male partners. Violence and Victims, 4, 159–177.Google Scholar
Tschann, J.M., Johnston, J.R., & Wallerstein, J.S. (1989). Resources, stressors, and attachment as predictors of adult adjustment after divorce: A longitudinal study. Journal of Marriage and Family, 51, 1033–1046.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vujeva, H.M. & Furman, W. (2011). Depressive symptoms and romantic relationship qualities from adolescence through emerging adulthood: A longitudinal examination of influences. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 40, 123–135.Google Scholar
Welsh, D.P., Grello, C.M., & Harper, M.S. (2003). When love hurts: Depression and adolescent romantic relationships. In Florsheim, P. (Ed.), Adolescent romantic relations and sexual behavior: Theory, research and practical implications (pp. 185–211). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaun.Google Scholar
Williams, J.S., & Siegel, J.P. (1989). Marital disruption and physical illness: The impact of divorce and spouse death on illness. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2, 1–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, S., Connolly, J., & Segal, Z.V. (2001). Intimacy in relationships and cognitive vulnerability to depression in adolescent girls. Cognitive Therapy Research, 25, 477–496.Google Scholar
World Health Organization (WHO) 1993. Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Geneva: Author.Google Scholar

Meta-Analysis References

Cramer, D. (2004) Satisfaction with a romantic relationship, depression, support and conflict. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 77, 449–461.Google Scholar
Drew, S.S., Heesacker, M., Frost, H.M., & Oelke, L.E. (2004). The role of relationship loss and self-loss in women's and men's dysphoria. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 21, 381–397.Google Scholar
Fleming, C.B., White, H.R., Oesterle, S., Haggerty, K.P., & Catalano, R.F. (2010). Romantic relationship status changes and substance use among 18- to 20-year-olds. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71, 847–856.Google Scholar
Fruth, A.L. (2007). Dating and adolescents’ well-being (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Bowling Greene State University, Bowling Greene, OH.Google Scholar
Gallaty, K. & Zimmer-Gembeck, M.E. (2008). The daily social and emotional worlds of adolescents who are psychologically maltreated by their romantic partners. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 310–323.Google Scholar
Gibb, S.J., Fergusson, D.M., & Horwood, L.J. (2011). Relationship separation and mental health problems: Findings from a 30-year longitudinal study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45, 163–169.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Greene, J.G. (2008). Contributions of peer, romantic partner, and nonparental adult relationships to adolescent adaptive functioning (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Boston University, Boston, MA.Google Scholar
Ha, T., Dishion, T.J., Overbeek, G., Burk, W.J., Engels, R.C.M.E. (2014). The blues of adolescent romance: Observed affective interactions in adolescent romantic relationships associated with depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 42, 551–562.Google Scholar
La Greca, A.M., & Harrison, H.M. (2005). Adolescent peer relations, friendships, and romantic relationships: Do they predict social anxiety and depression? Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 49–61.Google Scholar
Levesque, C., Lafontaine, M.F., Bureau, J.F., Cloutier, P., & Dandurand, C. (2010). The influence of romantic attachment and intimate partner violence on non-suicidal self-injury in young adults. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 474–483.Google Scholar
Merchand-Reilly, J.F. (2009). Depressive symptoms in young adults: The role of attachment orientations and romantic relationship conflict. Journal of Adult Development, 16, 31–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, S., Leung, C., Karnilowicz, W., & Lung, C.L. (2012). Characteristics and predictors of romantic relationships in late adolescence and young adulthood in Hong Kong and Australia. Australian Psychologist, 47, 108–117.Google Scholar
Puckett, M.B. (2009). Rejection sensitivity and interpersonal relationship difficulties: Depression, loneliness, and self-esteem and mediating factors (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.Google Scholar
Remen, A.L., & Chambless, D.L. (2001). Predicting dysphoria and relationship adjustment: Gender differences in their longitudinal relationship. Sex Roles, 44, 45–60.Google Scholar
Reyes-Rodriguez, M.L., Rivera-Medina, C.L., Camara-Fuentes, L., Suarez-Torres, A., & Bernal, G. (2013). Depression symptoms and stressful life events among college students in Puerto Rico. Journal of Affective Disorders, 145, 324–330.Google Scholar
Rizzo, C.J., Daley, S.E., & Gunderson, B.H. (2006). Interpersonal sensitivity, romantic stress, and the prediction of depression: A study of inner-city, minority adolescent girls. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35, 444–453.Google Scholar
Segrin, C., Powell, H.L., Givertz, M., & Brackin, A. (2003). Symptoms of depression, relational quality, and loneliness in dating relationships. Personal Relationships, 10, 25–36.Google Scholar
Tolpin, L.H., Cohen, L.H., Gunthert, K.C., & Farrehi, A. (2006). Unique effects of of depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction on exposure and reactivity to daily romantic relationship stress. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25, 565–583.Google Scholar
Whitton, S.W., & Kuryluk, A.D. (2012). Relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms in emerging adults: Cross-sectional associations and moderating effects of relationship characteristics. Journal of Family Psychology, 1–10.Google Scholar
Wichstrӧ m, L., & Rossow, I. (2002). Explaining the gender difference in self-reported suicide attempts: A nationally representative study of Norwegian adolescents. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 32, 101–116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar