Pamela A Matson1, Shang-En Chung2, J Dennis Fortenberry3, Kristen Hassmiller Lich4, Jonathan M Ellen2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address: pmatson@jhmi.edu. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. 4. Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Trust is an essential component of romantic relationships. It is not understood how youth respond to a relationship stressor, which may impact trust, such as perceiving to be at risk for a sexually transmitted infection or their partner has other sex partners. We used a system science approach to examine feedback between trust and prorelationship behaviors within adolescent relationships. METHODS: A prospective cohort of clinic-recruited young women (N = 122), aged 16-19 years, completed daily questionnaires on partner-specific feelings and risk perceptions for 18 months. Relationship stressor defined as either perceiving the risk of sexually transmitted infection from a partner or partner had other sex partners. Prorelationship behaviors were more time spent with partner, sex with partner, and/or gift from partner. Time-lagged generalized estimating equation models were used to examine whether a relationship stressor is associated with a decrease in trust and whether prorelationship behaviors changed following the stressor. RESULTS: Experiencing a stressor was associated with threefold increased odds of having a decrease in trust in the same week (odds ratio [OR] = 3.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.30-4.72). Trust increased significantly the week following the stressor (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.54-2.85). An increase in trust relative to the week of the stressor was associated with a 65% increase in prorelationship behavior in the week following the stressor (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.20-2.26). CONCLUSIONS: Data uniquely show that trust is impacted following a relationship stressor and that youth increase prorelationship behaviors following a drop in trust. The findings suggest that adolescents prioritize maintaining trust, which may impact engagement in protective health behaviors.
PURPOSE: Trust is an essential component of romantic relationships. It is not understood how youth respond to a relationship stressor, which may impact trust, such as perceiving to be at risk for a sexually transmitted infection or their partner has other sex partners. We used a system science approach to examine feedback between trust and prorelationship behaviors within adolescent relationships. METHODS: A prospective cohort of clinic-recruited young women (N = 122), aged 16-19 years, completed daily questionnaires on partner-specific feelings and risk perceptions for 18 months. Relationship stressor defined as either perceiving the risk of sexually transmitted infection from a partner or partner had other sex partners. Prorelationship behaviors were more time spent with partner, sex with partner, and/or gift from partner. Time-lagged generalized estimating equation models were used to examine whether a relationship stressor is associated with a decrease in trust and whether prorelationship behaviors changed following the stressor. RESULTS: Experiencing a stressor was associated with threefold increased odds of having a decrease in trust in the same week (odds ratio [OR] = 3.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.30-4.72). Trust increased significantly the week following the stressor (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.54-2.85). An increase in trust relative to the week of the stressor was associated with a 65% increase in prorelationship behavior in the week following the stressor (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.20-2.26). CONCLUSIONS: Data uniquely show that trust is impacted following a relationship stressor and that youth increase prorelationship behaviors following a drop in trust. The findings suggest that adolescents prioritize maintaining trust, which may impact engagement in protective health behaviors.
Authors: Deanna Kerrigan; Katherine Andrinopoulos; Shang-en Chung; Barbara Glass; Jonathan Ellen Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2008-06-14 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Pamela A Matson; J Dennis Fortenberry; Shang-En Chung; Charlotte A Gaydos; Jonathan M Ellen Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2018-03-24 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Pamela A Matson; Shang-En Chung; Petra Sander; Susan G Millstein; Jonathan M Ellen Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2012-06-16 Impact factor: 3.519