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Development of romantic love and attraction in adolescents

Komila Kadirova
7 min read

Komila Kadirova (author), Dhruti Halambi (advisor), Thanisha Kapur (advisor), Charlotte Lungren (advisor), Alan Wang (advisor)

Gems Metropole School

Keywords: Romantic love, adolescence, development, neurodevelopment, sexual attraction


Abstract

Adolescence is a period associated with biological, contextual, and physiological functions merging and manifesting its influence on the development of the person’s identity (Alessandro Salerno, 2015). Pubertal transformations question and modify the schemas present in the young child’s life to a more adult behavior, integrating sexual and aggressive drives in family and peer environments. Romantic relationships are an important part of the emerging sexual identity, playing a key role in the social and emotional development of adolescents, and serving as the model for future relationships (Mercedes Gomez-Lopez, 2019). Hormonal changes such as the increased secretion of gonadic hormone indicates the emergence of sexual desire (Alessandro Salerno, 2015) alongside cognitive changes undertaken during pubertal development shape the adolescent’s behavior and belief towards romantic relationships. This literary review aims to explore the positive and negative implications of romantic relationships on the psychological development of adolescence as well as the adolescence’s perception of attraction and romantic love.


Introduction

Various theories contribute to conceptualizing the purpose of adolescence, according to Nelson and colleagues’ theory, it’s described as “integration with larger groups of peers” and preceding the “reproductive/intimacy phase”. However, this definition doesn’t match the current adolescence behavior as romance and sex are central preoccupations of adolescent life (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman, 2015). As a starting point, romantic relationships are a framework of experiences that contribute to identity development, crystalizing their goals and beliefs in future relationships as adolescents at this time may struggle with regulating their affection and controlling their impulses (Alessandro Salerno, 2015). Engaging in romantic relationships have been influenced by “behavioral beliefs, peer pressure, religiousness, parental norms and perceived behavioral control more than their desires they express” (Alessandro Salerno, 2015) and in turn provides the adolescent with the opportunity to explore and express their sexual and romantic feelings. In the last decade, adolescent romantic relationships have increased according to a recent study, 85% participants have reported being interested in romantic relationships before entering high school (Alessandro Salerno, 2015); though it may be deemed by the adults as superficial, relationships are significant and crucial for adolescence development (Prerna Varma, 2015).


Discussion

Pubertal hormones effects on behavior and cognitive function

Hormonal changes are fundamental to an adolescent’s transition to adulthood in both physiological pubertal change as well as in reorganizing the neural circuitry (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman A. G., 2017 ). On top of the secretion of gonadic hormones, neurotransmitters and hormones related to love are released including oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and vasopressin; however, the two key pubertal hormones that play a larger role in sexual and romantic interest in adolescence is testosterone and estradiol. Testosterone has been associated as a social hormone related to aggression that manifests itself in status maintenance and sensation seeking. A recent study found that increased testosterone has been associated with increased risk-taking on laboratory tasks amongst both boys and girls (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman A. G., 2017 ). The adolescent brain post-puberty is rewired to activate reproductive behavior therefore pubertal hormones, such as testosterone, influence and alter the neural circuits to condition a response to social stimuli and mating behavior. Although high testosterone levels are linked to increased sexual activity, the gonadal hormones fundamentally drive sexual motivation rather than the ability to copulate, highlighting that even without elevated levels of testosterone, sexual behaviors can be increased after partaking multiple successful sexual experiences. Additionally, estradiol also plays the key role of rewiring the neural circuit in both adolescent girls and boys, though contributes more to the physiological and psychological development of girls. It’s been associated with increased sexual desire, white matter growth, decreased pubertal grey matter pruning and less on risk-taking, which according to various neurodevelopment studies found testosterone to be linked to it more than estradiol as it rewires the neural response to reward (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman A. G., 2017 ). The neural sensitivity to reward and decision-making in adolescence is heavily influenced by social and sexual contexts with emotional arousal, Nelson et al outlines that “the amygdale undergoes a U-shaped developmental profile with increased social responsiveness to social stimuli during adolescence and a decline into adulthood” (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman K. P., 2015). Given the adolescence’s sensitivity to social context and emotional arousal, there are critical factors that influence the neurodevelopment of response to rewards, decision making and risk taking during this period. 


Positive implications of romantic relationships on adolescent’s social and emotional development

Adolescents’ positive development is strongly influenced by the social context they grew up in parents, peers, and media. Results from a recent study found adolescent psychological wellbeing to be reflective of romantic relationships they’ve experienced, participants who had experienced any sort of romantic relations showed “better levels of positive interpersonal relationships and life development whilst those who never had a romantic relationship had higher levels of self-acceptance and autonomy” (Mercedes Gomez-Lopez, 2019). Though there is a positive link between wellbeing and romantic relationships, adolescents may not have sufficient resources or developed cognitive coping skills to deal with new contexts of these romantic relationships, therefore being more likely to respond ineffectively leading to increased risk of a more negative image of themselves and their abilities. On the other hand, experience with romantic relationships during adolescent years can lead to improvement in capability to maintain close, trusting relationships with acquired skills of coping and managing interpersonal relationships. Consistent findings across various research have found that relationships provide the context of greater intimacy and support along with the emotional connection and social integration most adolescents desire (Mercedes Gomez-Lopez, 2019). Neuroplasticity during adolescent years opens sensitive windows in the brain in which learning experiences contribute to their neural development as research has shown during this period, the brain demonstrates stability and plasticity, creating an opportunity to learn and experience to shape the neural networks. Specifically, pubertal transformation “leads to the development of social behaviors and responses to newly emerging social contexts” (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman A. G., 2017).



Negative implications of romantic relationships on adolescent’s social and emotional development 

Romantic relationships have become more prevalent in adolescent’s life, with over 50% of the youth dating by age 15, however, there is limited research and understanding of which type of relationship issues are strongly correlated to mental health issues and suicide risks (Megan Price, 2016). Research has found that “post relationship concerns (including breakups) were also more likely than pre- or during relationship concerns to be associated with concurrent mental health issues (36.8%), self-harm (22.6%) and suicide (9.9%) (Megan Price, 2016). As adolescence is a time period of peak fertility and reproductive development, the gonadal hormones alter the neural circuit and contribute to risk-taking which manifests itself in arousing contexts such as sexual and romantic situations, therefore sexual activities become a more common occurrence of thought and/or experience for many adolescents (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman K. P., 2015). As risky behavior can be motivated by highly arousing sexual contexts, it can bring potential unwanted negative consequences such as sexually transmitted infection and unintended pregnancy which disproportionally affects adolescents. Although, the extent to which sexual activity takes place depends both on the individual and context as it doesn’t always necessarily have to be “risky”, some individuals may decide to have intercourse as part of their deliberate plan to increase emotional intimacy; the perception on arousing sexual contexts being linked to risk-taking behavior isn’t always identified as a negative consequence. It can be vital for the adolescence’s neurodevelopment (Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman K. P., 2015). Data from recent research identified breakups to be the most common problem (a third) in romance-related counseling and excluding breakups, “developmental differences in help-seeking for romantic relationship issues” were identified as younger adolescents were more likely to seek help in concerns to the initiation of relationships as its typically a new experience in which they lack skills and competence for. However, in older adolescents, main concerns about maintaining and sustaining relationships were more prominent when intimacy levels, emotional investment, skills, and commitment in romantic experiences increased (Megan Price, 2016). 


Conclusion

Collectively during puberty, the release of gonadal hormones, social context of peers, parents and media contribute to the physiological and neurodevelopment of adolescents’ perception of romantic love, especially in the development of sexual behaviors as risk-taking in association with adolescence manifests itself in arousing sexual and social contexts. Though sexual behaviors of such can be negatively perceived by surrounding adults, it’s crucial for adolescents’ development in giving them the coping skills and framework to sustain and maintain future relationships. Increased research in social context, neural development and relationships during these experiences would significantly expand our understanding of adolescent development and provide with valuable information that can improve the trajectory of adolescent development. For instance, developmental neuroscience research may offer an opportunity to identify and implement conditions that promote prosocial, health promoting behaviors rather than risk-taking behaviors in sexual and romantic relationships.


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