Romantic Relationships and Mental Health of Adolescents
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Romantic relationships of adolescents are an important issue during psychological consultations in order to assess the effects on their overall mental health. Accordingly, it is necessary for healthcare providers to understand this kind of relationship, and also to be able to advise educational providers and parents so they can recognize adolescent romantic relationships: relationships are an essential process of psychosocial development for exploring roles and identities. Therefore, adolescents can progress to young adulthood by learning to commit to others intimately, as indicated in Eric Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. Moreover, romantic relationships are an opportunity for adolescents to improve their skills of emotional management, thus becoming more mature. However, relationship conflicts, especially breaking up, can result in mental health difficulties, notably depression. Hence, healthcare providers, teachers, and parents should talk to adolescents about their romantic relationships regularly, with a non-judgmental attitude. The key objectives are screening for violence and depression, with an emphasis on coping strategies. To date, there is no study of specific therapy for mental difficulties as a result of romantic relationships in adolescents. However, some guidelines suggest considering problem solving therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy or family therapy, through focusing on adolescents’ problems or the severity of adolescents’ symptoms.
Author: Chonnakarn Jatchavala
Institution: Prince of Songkla University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2568325763