Emerging adulthood - the period between the late teens and mid-twenties - is a unique and important developmental period during which people gain relationship experience before settling on someone to partner with. Romantic Relationships in Emerging Adulthood presents a synthesis of research and theory on this topic. Leading scholars from demography, sociology, family studies, and psychology provide original data and theoretical analyses that address the formation, nature, and significance of romantic relationships in emerging adults. Until recently, it was assumed that romantic relationships in emerging adults were not particularly important or formative. The material presented allows this assumption to be thoroughly evaluated. This volume is intended to be a resource for anyone interested in understanding romantic relationships in emerging adulthood. It is especially appropriate for classroom use in upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of family sociology, human development and family studies, clinical and developmental psychology, and social work.

“This is an essential resource for any scholar interested in the interface between emerging adulthood and interpersonal relationships. It presents cutting-edge theoretical, methodological, and substantive developments regarding how romantic relationships are embedded within the lives of those who are negotiating the adolescence-to-young-adulthood transition. Readers will come away with not only new insights about this topic area, but also with new ideas about how to conceptualize and study relationship development during this period of life.”
– Mark A. Fine, University of Missouri

“The contributions that Fincham and Cui have assembled represent a multidisciplinary, rigorous, and insightful examination of the meaning and the functioning of romantic relationships in emerging adulthood. Each of the chapters represents an important scientific contribution in its own right, but as a collection they provide a crucial bridge between the new recognition of emerging adulthood as a distinct life stage and the developing picture of romantic relationships across the lifespan. This volume will be essential reading for scholars and students of human development, interpersonal relationships, and the intersection between the two.”
– Benjamin R. Karney, University of California, Los Angeles

“This book integrates scholarship on romantic relationships within emerging adulthood in a comprehensive yet meticulous way. Individually, the chapters are insightful, informative, and innovative. Collectively, they provide an important roadmap to guide future scholarship in this area. Kudos to the editors and the authors for producing a volume with such an impressive scope.”
– Leanne K. Knobloch, University of Illinois

"....a major strength of the book is the interdisciplinary expertise represented by the chapter authors, such as in-depth knowledge of psychology, sociology, and family studies.... The book is a serious effort to build relationship science upon a solid foundation of basic research into fundamental psychological processes and principles.... This volume should be of interest to researchers, scholars, and graduate students in the field of romantic relationships. In fact, most chapters are accessible to anyone interested in the field of romantic relationships and emerging adulthood. Considering the dramatic cultural changes in patterns of romantic relationships and the scientific advances represented by this book, Dyas would have interesting reports for both Aphrodite and Hermes."
– John M. Davis, PsycCRITIQUES

"....Assuming a position between traditional developmental literature and family literature of adolescence and adulthood, this is an original contribution, providing sound,thorough scholarship elucidating a common but insufficiently discussed phase of development. A valuable resource in psychology, sociology, social work, and family counseling.... Recommended...."
-D. Sydiaha, emeritus, University of Saskatchewan, CHOICE