“Old Wine in a New Bottle”. Depression and Romantic Relationships in Italian Emerging Adulthood: The Moderating Effect of Gender

Alessandra Fermani, Ramona Bongelli, Carla Canestrari, Morena Muzi, Ilaria Riccioni and Roberto Burro
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Alessandra Fermani: Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Ramona Bongelli: Department of Political Science, Communication, International Relations, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Carla Canestrari: Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Morena Muzi: Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Ilaria Riccioni: Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Roberto Burro: Department Human Science, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Intimate partner violence is an important social issue all over the world, and human sciences, in particular, are working to reduce it. Despite this, the topic is a little recognized phenomenon. Understanding the origins and the variables that have an impact on manic-style romantic relationships, as defined by John Alan Lee, is of primary importance, in particular in Italy where the data reveal alarming statistics. Most studies have not controlled for earlier depressive symptoms as a cause of successive depression or as an antecedent of romantic styles. In our study, we investigate the association between depression and romantic style, trying to test the moderating role of the gender variable in 283 Italian emerging adults (139 women and 144 men). In order to achieve this aim, we performed a multigroup structural equation model analysis. The hypothesis that gender moderates the relationship between depression and romantic styles is still yet to be confirmed. Men with high levels of depression do not seem to be able to establish relationships based on commitment, as required by the eros style. Women with high levels of depression are more frequently involved in possessive and demanding relationships or in pragmatic ones, confirming their need for dependence.

Keywords: gender; emerging adults; depression; romantic styles; multi–group structural equation model; violence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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