The Effectiveness of Healthy Romantic Relationship Training on Enhancing Self-Concept Among Emerging Adults

  • Jessica Rosdiana Tobing 
    Universitas Indonesia, Depok
    Indonesia
  • Adriana Soekandar Ginanjar
    Universitas Indonesia, Depok
    Indonesia
  • Santy Yanuar Pranawati
    Universitas Indonesia, Depok
    Indonesia

Abstract

Building healthy romantic relationships is a critical developmental task during emerging adulthood as it contributes to higher psychological well-being. However, the instability and uncertainty that often characterize this period can hinder emerging adults from forming healthy romantic relationships.  It has been found that self-concept is a key factor in building healthy romantic relationships, as a strong self-concept supports more positive outcomes in romantic relationships. However, much of the existing training only focuses on sexual health education and dating violence. In addition, the majority of emerging adults report that they have not received the relationship education they desire or require, whether from their families or educational institutions. To fill the gap in knowledge about this topic, this study focuses on enhancing self-concept through healthy romantic relationship training. This study hypothesized that participants who completed the training would report higher mean self-concept and healthy romantic relationship knowledge scores. This quasi-experimental study, employing one group pre-test and post-test design, involved 13 participants (M = 21.8, SD = 2.1). The instruments used to measure the variables were the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale Second Version Short Form (TSCS:2 SF) and the Healthy Romantic Relationship Knowledge Questionnaire. Qualitative data were also derived to support the quantitative data. Quantitative analysis using ANOVA Repeated Measures and thematic qualitative analysis showed that healthy romantic relationship training significantly enhanced self-concept in emerging adults. The research implications highlight the significance of providing training on healthy romantic relationship for emerging adults, emphasizing the need to focus on self-concept which can contribute to higher romantic relationship quality.  

Keywords
  • Emerging adults
  • Healthy romantic relationships
  • Self-concept
  • Relationship education
  • Quasi-experimental study
Lisensing Information
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Tobing, J. R., Ginanjar, A. S., & Pranawati, S. Y. (2024). The Effectiveness of Healthy Romantic Relationship Training on Enhancing Self-Concept Among Emerging Adults. KONSELOR, 13(2), 146–160. https://doi.org/10.24036/0202413288-0-86
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX
References
  1. Alicke, M., Zhang, Y., & Stephenson, N. (2020). Self-awareness and self-knowledge. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology.
  2. Angera, J. J., & Long, E. C. (2006). Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of an empathy training program for couples in marriage and romantic relationships. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 5(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1300/J398v05n01_01
  3. Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American psychologist, 55(5), 469.
  4. Aron, A., Lewandowski Jr, G. W., Mashek, D., & Aron, E. N. (2013). The self-expansion model of motivation and cognition in close relationships. The Oxford handbook of close relationships, 90-115.
  5. Bradford, K., Stewart, J. W., Pfister, R., & Higginbotham, B. J. (2016). Avoid falling for a jerk (ette): Effectiveness of the premarital interpersonal choices and knowledge program among emerging adults. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(4), 630-644.
  6. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  7. Callero, P. L. (1985). Role-identity salience. Social psychology quarterly, 203-215.
  8. Campbell, J. D. (1990). Self-esteem and clarity of the self-concept. Journal of personality and social psychology, 59(3), 538.
  9. Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56(2), 267.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Fast Facts: Preventing Teen Dating Violence. Downloaded from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv/TDV-factsheet_2022.pdf
  11. Chow, C. M., & Ruhl, H. (2014). Friendship and romantic stressors and depression in emerging adulthood: Mediating and moderating roles of attachment representations. Journal of Adult Development, 21, 106–115.
  12. Cloutier, A., & Peetz, J. (2017). People, they are a changin’ The links between anticipating change and romantic relationship quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 34(5), 676-698.
  13. Collibee, C., & Furman, W. (2015). Quality counts: Developmental shifts in associations between romantic relationship qualities and psychosocial adjustment. Child Development, 86(5), 1639–1652. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12353
  14. Connolly, J., McIsaac, C., Shulman, S., Wincentak, K., Joly, L., Heifetz, M., & Bravo, V. (2014). Development of romantic relationships in adolescence and emerging adulthood: Implications for community mental health. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 33(1), 7-19.
  15. Coutts, J., Al-Kire, R. L., & Weidler, D. J. (2023). I can see (myself) clearly now: Exploring the mediating role of self-concept clarity in the association between self-compassion and indicators of well-being. PLOS ONE, 18(4), e0283047. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283047
  16. Coyle, K. K., Anderson, P., Franks, H. M., Walker, J. D., & Glassman, J. R. (2019). You-Me-Us: results of a cluster randomized trial of a healthy relationships approach to sexual risk reduction. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 40(6), 607-629.
  17. Davila, J., Zhou, J., Norona, J., Bhatia, V., Mize, L., & Lashman, K. (2021). Teaching romantic competence skills to emerging adults: A relationship education workshop. Personal Relationships, 28(2), 251-275.
  18. DeWall, C. N., Maner, J. K., Deckman, T., & Rouby, D. A. (2011). Forbidden fruit: Inattention to attractive alternatives provokes implicit relationship reactance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(4), 621.
  19. Duncan, L. G., Coatsworth, J. D., & Greenberg, M. T. (2009). A model of mindful parenting: Implications for parent–child relationships and prevention research. Clinical child and family psychology review, 12, 255-270.
  20. Emerson, A., Pickett, M., Moore, S., & Kelly, P. J. (2023). A scoping review of digital health interventions to promote healthy romantic relationships in adolescents. Prevention Science, 24(4), 625-639.
  21. Erdfelder, E., Faul, F., & Buchner, A. (1996). GPOWER: A general power analysis program. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments & Computers, 28(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203630
  22. Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2012). Psychology: theories of personality.
  23. Fisher, T. D., & McNulty, J. K. (2008). Neuroticism and marital satisfaction: the mediating role played by the sexual relationship. Journal of family psychology, 22(1), 112.
  24. Fitts, W. H., & Roid, G. H. (1964). Tennessee self concept scale. Nashville, TN: Counselor Recordings and Tests.
  25. Furman, W., & Collibee, C. (2014). A matter of timing: Developmental theories of romantic involvement and psychosocial adjustment. Development and Psychopathology, 26(4pt1), 1149-1160.
  26. Gehl, K., Brassard, A., Dugal, C., Lefebvre, A.-A., Daigneault, I., Francoeur, A., & Lecomte, T. (2024). Attachment and Breakup Distress: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies. Emerging Adulthood, 12(1), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968231209232
  27. Gómez-López, M., Viejo, C., & Ortega-Ruiz, R. (2019). Well-being and romantic relationships: A systematic review in adolescence and emerging adulthood. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(13), 2415.
  28. Halford, W. K. (2011). Marriage and relationship education: What works and how to provide it. Guilford Press.
  29. Healthy Relationship Resource Kit. (2010). Netherlands; Western Health.
  30. Hielscher, E., Moores, C., Blenkin, M., Jadambaa, A., & Scott, J. G. (2021). Intervention programs designed to promote healthy romantic relationships in youth: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescence, 92, 194-236.
  31. Jakubiak, B. K., & Tomlinson, J. M. (2020). The role of social support in promoting self-development. In M. L. Aknin, S. J. Kogan, & C. M. Zaki (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of personal relationships (pp. 125-143). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43747-3_8
  32. Jelić, M. (2022). How do we process feedback? The role of self-esteem in processing self-related and other-related information. Acta psychologica, 227, 103592.
  33. Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2001). Learning Together and Alone. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  34. Kamp Dush, C. M., Taylor, M. G., & Kroeger, R. A. (2008). Marital happiness and psychological well‐being across the life course. Family relations, 57(2), 211-226.
  35. Kemper, C.J. (2017). External Validity. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1303-1
  36. Komnas Perempuan. (2024). Catatan Tahunan Komnas Perempuan Tahun 2023: Lembar Fakta. Downloaded from https://komnasperempuan.go.id/download-file/1085
  37. Konstam, V. (2019). The romantic lives of emerging adults: Getting from I to we. Oxford University Press.
  38. Lachica, N., Stockwell, A., & Gamba, J. (2023). What did I just say? An individualized behavior skills training for listening behaviors of adult participants in romantic relationships. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 38(4), 732-755. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1922664
  39. Larson, J. H., Vatter, R. S., Galbraith, R. C., Holman, T. B., & Stahmann, R. F. (2007). The RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) with therapist‐assisted interpretation: Short‐term effects on premarital relationships. Journal of marital and family therapy, 33(3), 364-374.
  40. Lestari P. P., Abidin Z., & Abidin F. A., "Bentuk kekerasan dalam berpacaran (KDP) dan dampak psikologisnya pada wanita dewasa awal sebagai korban kekerasan." Martabat: Jurnal Perempuan dan Anak 6, no. 1 (2022): 65-84.
  41. Li, W., Guo, Y., Lai, W., Wang, W., Li, X., Zhu, L., ... & Lu, C. (2023). Reciprocal relationships between self-esteem, coping styles and anxiety symptoms among adolescents: between-person and within-person effects. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 17(1), 21.
  42. London, M., Sessa, V. I., & Shelley, L. A. (2023). Developing self-awareness: Learning processes for self-and interpersonal growth. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10(1), 261-288.
  43. Long, E. C., Angera, J. J., Carter, S. J., Nakamoto, M., & Kalso, M. (1999). Understanding the one you love: A longitudinal assessment of an empathy training program for couples in romantic relationships. Family Relations, 235-242. https://doi.org/10.2307/585632
  44. Lazarus, R. S., and Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. New York: Springer.
  45. Mattingly, B. A., McIntyre, K. P., & Lewandowski, G. W. (2020). Relationship-induced self-concept change: Theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches. Interpersonal relationships and the self-concept, 1-19.
  46. McIntyre, K. P., Mattingly, B. A., & Lewandowski, G. W. (2017). Self-concept clarity and romantic relationships. Self-concept clarity: Perspectives on assessment, research, and applications, 107-124.
  47. Meeks, B. S., Hendrick, S. S., & Hendrick, C. (1998). Communication, love and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15(6), 755-773. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407598156003
  48. Meier, A., & Allen, G. (2008). Intimate relationship development during the transition to adulthood: Differences by social class. New directions for child and adolescent development, 2008(119), 25-39.
  49. Nasby, W. (1997). Self-consciousness and cognitive prototypes of the ideal self. Journal of Research in Personality, 31(4), 543-563.
  50. Putri, A. R., & Kurniawan, Y. (2023). Kecemasan Menjalin Relasi Romantis: Studi Kasus terhadap Perempuan Penyintas Toxic relationship. Philanthropy: Journal of Psychology, 7(1), 90-107.
  51. Ramsey, M. A., & Gentzler, A. L. (2015). An upward spiral: Bidirectional associations between positive affect and positive aspects of close relationships across the life span. Developmental review, 36, 58-104.
  52. Richman, S. B., Pond Jr, R. S., Dewall, C. N., Kumashiro, M., Slotter, E. B., & Luchies, L. B. (2016). An unclear self leads to poor mental health: Self-concept confusion mediates the association of loneliness with depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 35(7), 525-550.
  53. Riggio, H. R., Weiser, D. A., Valenzuela, A. M., Lui, P. P., Montes, R., & Heuer, J. (2013). Self-efficacy in romantic relationships: Prediction of relationship attitudes and outcomes. The Journal of Social Psychology, 153, 629–650. doi:10.1080/00224545.2013.801826
  54. Schramm, D. G., & Gomez-Scott, J. (2012). Merging relationship education and child abuse prevention knowledge: An evaluation of effectiveness with adolescents. Marriage & Family Review, 48(8), 792-808.
  55. Schwartz, S. J., Zamboanga, B. L., Luyckx, K., Meca, A., & Ritchie, R. A. (2013). Identity in emerging adulthood: Reviewing the field and looking forward. Emerging adulthood, 1(2), 96-113.
  56. Seiffge‐Krenke, I. (2011). Coping With Relationship Stressors: A Decade Review. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(1), 196–210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00723.
  57. Shulman, S. (2003). Conflict and negotiation in adolescent romantic relationships. In Adolescent Romantic Relations and Sexual Behavior (pp. 109-135). Psychology Press.
  58. Shulman, S., Davila, J., & Shachar-Shapira, L. (2011). Assessing romantic competence among older adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 34(3), 397-406.
  59. Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13, 249–275.
  60. Solomon, A. H. (2017). Loving bravely: Twenty lessons of self-discovery to help you get the love you want. New Harbinger Publications.
  61. Solomon, A. H., Martinez, C. J., & Wren, J. E. (2021). Becoming what you are seeking: Building relational self‐awareness in emerging adults. Family process, 60(4), 1539-1554.
  62. Stryker, S., & Burke, P. J. (2000). The past, present, and future of an identity theory. Social psychology quarterly, 284-297.
  63. Van der Cruijsen, R., Peters, S., Van der Aar, L. P. E., & Crone, E. A. (2018). The neural signature of self-concept development in adolescence: the role of domain and valence distinctions. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 30, 1-12.
  64. Weissbourd, R., Anderson, T. R., Cashin, A., & McIntyre, J. (2017). The talk: How adults can promote young people’s healthy relationships and prevent misogyny and sexual harassment. Harvard Graduate School of Education, 16(8), 1-46.
  65. Wu, C. H. (2009). The relationship between attachment style and self-concept clarity: The mediation effect of self-esteem. Personality and individual differences, 47(1), 42-46.
Check for updates

Issue

Downloads

PDF

Statistic

Abstract Views
: 43 times
PDF
: 23 times