Non-exclusivity in adolescent girls' romantic relationships.
OBJECTIVE
As adolescents develop intimate relationships skills, they might change romantic partners often. Little is known about this developmental phenomenon.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to determine the frequency of non-exclusive romantic relationships in girls, the variables associated with non-exclusive relationships, and the variables associated with having sexual intercourse in a non-exclusive relationship.


METHODS
Girls (12-15 years of age) participated in a longitudinal study (3 y, 7 visits) of romantic relationships.


RESULTS
Seventy-two of 160 girls had a non-exclusive relationship, and of these, 23 girls had intercourse in an outside relationship. Younger age, belief that the boyfriend had an outside relationship, and less parental indirect monitoring was associated with the girl having an outside relationship. A longer time being sexually experienced and less direct parental monitoring was associated with having intercourse in the outside relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-exclusivity in adolescence is common but does not always include sexual intercourse. Healthcare providers can address non-exclusivity with adolescents directly.
Short
Mary B
MB
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-0319, USA. mbshort@utmb.edu
Succop
Paul A
PA
Mills
Lisa
L
Stanberry
Lawrence R
LR
Biro
Frank M
FM
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*