Abstract
We examined the development of intimate relationships in 180 adolescents with visual impairment (VI) and 533 sighted peers.
Adolescents with VI reported a later age at the time of first falling in love, dating, and entering into a romantic relationship.
However, between-group differences in the timing of first sexual intercourse were not significant. In addition, similar numbers
of adolescents from both groups had experiences with falling in love and having romantic relations at the time of assessment.
The two groups differed in the criteria for mate selection, and emotional maturity was more important for young people with
VI than for their sighted peers while the reverse was found for physical attractiveness and material resources of potential
partners. Finally, the two groups did not differ in the perceived quality of their present romantic relationship.
Adolescents with VI reported a later age at the time of first falling in love, dating, and entering into a romantic relationship.
However, between-group differences in the timing of first sexual intercourse were not significant. In addition, similar numbers
of adolescents from both groups had experiences with falling in love and having romantic relations at the time of assessment.
The two groups differed in the criteria for mate selection, and emotional maturity was more important for young people with
VI than for their sighted peers while the reverse was found for physical attractiveness and material resources of potential
partners. Finally, the two groups did not differ in the perceived quality of their present romantic relationship.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11195-011-9248-y
- Authors
- Martin Pinquart, Department of Psychology, Philipps University, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Jens P. Pfeiffer, Department of Psychology, Philipps University, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Journal Sexuality and Disability
- Online ISSN 1573-6717
- Print ISSN 0146-1044