Results suggest that, in contrast to adolescents, being involved in dating or sexual activities does not generally appear to promote depressive symptoms in emerging adults. In fact, being in a committed relationship is linked with fewer depressive symptoms for young women (see poster below or a a more thorough manuscript) and with less alcohol problems and binge drinking for both men and women. Moreover, as has been seen in adults, more satisfaction with one’s relationship is associated with having fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms. This is particularly true for women and for men in more committed, longer term relationships.

Further, based on results from another manuscript from this study, intrapersonal characteristics are also important to consider. For example, it appears that the association between relationship quality and depressive symptoms is stronger for women with higher, versus lower, levels of femininity. In addition, co-rumination was also observed to moderate the association, such that there was a stronger tie between satisfaction and depressive symptoms for men and women with higher, versus lower, levels of co-rumination.