An exploration of the nature of contemporaty adolescents' intimate relationships

• Main Author: Gevers, Aní­k
• Other Authors: Flisher, Alan J
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Psychiatry
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12348

Includes bibliographical references. === Intimate relationships in adolescence play an important role in psychosocial development and can impact on relationships during adulthood. There is a need for evidence-based interventions to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV), promote sexual and reproductive health, and equitable, enjoyable relationships during adolescence. A nuanced understanding of contemporary adolescents' intimate relationships is needed to inform intervention development. A series of studies was undertaken to explore (a) contemporary adolescents' ideas about and experiences of relationships; (b) young adolescents' sexual behaviour and dating; (c) adolescents' conceptions of a good relationship; and (d) published-evidence guidelines for developing school-based violence prevention interventions. For study (a), qualitative data were collected during focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with 14-18 year olds. Survey data from 13-16 year olds (for study b) and 15-18 year olds (for study c) were analysed using regression analyses. Adolescents’ intimate relationships are fluid and unstructured, highly gendered, and greatly influenced by peer relationships; however, experience with relationships and sex are varied. For girls, good relationships were associated with having a mutual main partnership with an older, educated boyfriend in which there was good, open communication particularly about sexual and reproductive health. For boys, a mutual main partnership and very little quarrelling were associated with good relationships. Young adolescents' reported engaging in a variety of sexual behaviours ranging from kissing to sexual intercourse with the former more common than the latter. These findings indicate a need for early interventions that are carefully adapted and acceptable to adolescents who have varying levels of experience with relationships, sex, and violence. Adolescents would benefit from developing gender equitable attitudes; critically reflecting on their ideas and practices related to good and poor relationships; building sexual decision-making skills to better prepare them to develop and maintain good, healthy relationships and end poor or abusive ones. Interventions should incorporate adolescents' perspectives and balance evidence-based best practice and resource availability.