TOLEDO ADOLESCENT RELATIONSHIPS STUDY

This project, funded by the NICHD and DHHS, builds on an in-depth study of adolescent heterosexual relationships, the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS). We emphasize the potentially important role of adolescent identities, communication awkwardness, heightened emotionality, various types of asymmetries as well as the critical but subjective element of "trust." A core theme is that experiences associated with gender, social class position, and minority status influence the course of heterosexual dating and romantic relationships. We identify the features of relationships that may influence variations in both the management of sexual risk deriving from the partner's experiences/behaviors and an individual’s own involvement in risky sexual behavior. Additionally, we explore how emotionality associated with romantic and other social relationships influences identity development, and, in turn, sexual behavior. Further, we examine distinct individual trajectories of involvement in high-risk sexual behaviors, focusing attention on stability and changes from a particular pattern. The findings from this project will lead to potential areas of social malleability in relationship choices and behaviors that can be incorporated into the design of more effective HIV prevention/intervention efforts.

Funded by the following grants:

Youthful Relationships and Sexual Risk Taking
Peggy C. Giordano (PI)
Monica A. Longmore (CI)
Wendy D. Manning (CI)

Social Relationships, Identity, and Sexual Risk Taking
Monica A. Longmore (PI)
Peggy C. Giordano (CI)
Wendy D. Manning (CI)

Visit the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study on the web at http://www.bgsu.edu/tars

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Giordano, Peggy C., Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. (2010). “Affairs of the Heart: Qualities of Adolescent Romantic Relationships and Sexual Behavior.” Journal of Research on Adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence 20(4):983-1013. PMCID: PMC3002234

Lonardo, Robert A., Wendy D. Manning, Peggy C. Giordano, and Monica A. Longmore. “Offending, Substance Use, and Cohabitation in Young Adulthood.” Sociological Forum 25(4):787-803. NIHMSID: NIHMS234543

Giordano, Peggy C., Robert A. Lonardo, Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. “Adolescent Romance and Delinquency: A Further Exploration of Hirschi’s “Cold and Brittle” Relationships Hypothesis.” Criminology 48(4):919-946. NIHMSID: NIHMS271238

Giordano, Peggy C., Monica A. Longmore, Wendy D. Manning, and Miriam J. Northcutt. (2009). “Adolescent Identities and Sexual Behavior: An Examination of Anderson’s ‘Player’ Hypothesis.” Social Forces 87(4):1813-1844. NIHMSID#134379.)

Lonardo, Robert A., Peggy C. Giordano, Monica A. Longmore, and Wendy D. Manning. (2009). “Parents, Friends, and Romantic Partners: Enmeshment in Deviant Networks and Adolescent Delinquency Involvement.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 38(3):367-383. PMC Journal – In Process.

Longmore, Monica A., Abbey L. Eng, Peggy C. Giordano, and Wendy D. Manning. (2009). “Parenting and Adolescents’ Sexual Initiation.” Journal of Marriage and the Family 71:969-982. PMC Journal – In Process.

Manning, Wendy D., Christine M. Flanigan, Peggy C. Giordano, and Monica A. Longmore. (2009). “Relationship Dynamics and Consistency of Condom Use among Adolescents.” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 41(3):181-190. PMC Journal – In Process.

Seffrin, Patrick M., Peggy C. Giordano, Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. (2009). “The Influence of Dating Relationships on Friendship Networks, Identity Development, and Delinquency.” Justice Quarterly 26(2):238-267. PMC Journal – In Process.

Giordano, Peggy C., Kenyatta D. Phelps, Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. (2008). “Adolescent Academic Achievement and Romantic Relationships.” Social Science Research 37(1):37-54.

Mulford, Carrie, and Peggy C. Giordano. (2008). “Teen Dating Violence: A Closer Look at Adolescent Romantic Relationships.” National Institute of Justice Journal, Issue 261, pp. 34-40.

Manning, Wendy D., Monica A. Longmore, and Peggy C. Giordano. (2007). “The Changing Institution of Marriage: Adolescents’ Expectations to Cohabit and to Marry.” Journal of Marriage and the Family 69(3):559-575.

Giordano, Peggy C., Monica A. Longmore, and Wendy D. Manning. (2006). “Gender and the Meanings of Adolescent Romantic Relationships: A Focus on Boys.” American Sociological Review 71:260-287. To be reprinted in Men’s Lives, forthcoming, edited by Michael S. Kimmel.

Manning, Wendy D., Peggy C. Giordano, and Monica A. Longmore. (2006). “Hooking Up: The Relationship Contexts of “Nonrelationship” Sex.” Journal of Adolescent Research 21(5):459-483.

Manning, Wendy D., Monica A. Longmore, and Peggy C. Giordano. (2005). “Adolescents’ Involvement in Non-Romantic Sexual Activity.” Social Science Research 34(2):384-407.

Longmore, Monica A., Wendy D. Manning, Peggy C. Giordano, and Jennifer L. Rudolph. (2004). “Self-Esteem, Depressive Symptoms, and Adolescents’ Sexual Onset.” Social Psychology Quarterly 67(3):279-295.

Giordano, Peggy C. (2003). “Relationships in Adolescence.” Annual Review of Sociology 29:257-281.

BOOK CHAPTERS:

Manning, Wendy D., Peggy C. Giordano, Monica A. Longmore, and Andrea Hocevar. (2011). “Romantic Relationships and Academic/Career Trajectories in Early Adulthood.” Pp. 317-334. In Frank Fincham and Ming Cui (Eds.), Romantic Relationships in Emerging Adulthood. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Giordano, Peggy C. (2009). “Friendship, Childhood and Adolescence.” Pp. 180-184. In Deborah Carr, Robert Crosnoe, Mary Elizabeth Hughes, and Amy Pienta (Eds.), Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development: Sociology of Childhood. Macmillan Reference USA.

Giordano, Peggy C., Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. (2009). “Dating Relationships in Adolescence and Young Adulthood.” Pp. 386-390 in Harry T. Reis and Susan Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Manning, Wendy D., Peggy C. Giordano, and Monica A. Longmore. (2009). “Sexuality in Adolescent Relationships.” Pp. 1474 – 1477 in Harry T. Reis and Susan Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Giordano, Peggy C., Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. (2006). “Adolescent Romantic Relationships: An Emerging Portrait of Their Nature and Developmental Significance.” In Ann Crouter and Alan Booth (Eds.) Romance and Sex in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: Risks and Opportunities,  pp. 127-150. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Giordano, Peggy C., Monica A. Longmore, and Wendy D. Manning. (2001.) “A Conceptual Portrait of Adolescent Romantic Relationships.” In David A. Kinney (Ed.), Sociological Studies of Children and Youth. London: Elsevier Science, pp. 111-139.

CFDR WORKING PAPERS:

2008-13	Taylor, Heather L., Peggy C. Giordano, Monica A. Longmore, and Wendy D. Manning. “Variations in Adolescent Romantic Relationships: A Pattern-Centered Approach.”
2008-12	Longmore, Monica A., Heather L. Taylor, Peggy C. Giordano, and Wendy D. Manning. “Adolescent Romantic Relationships and Alcohol Use.”

NCFMR WORKING PAPERS:

WP-09-10

Giordano, Peggy C., Christine M. Flanigan, Wendy D. Manning, and Monica A. Longmore. "Developmental Shifts in the Character of Romantic Relationships from Adolescence to Early Adulthood."