MUTUAL AND UNREQUITED LOVE IN ADOLESCENCE AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD

The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency of experiencing passionate love during adolescence and young adulthood as recalled by young adults, and to examine gender differences in this frequency. Fem ale and male U.S, introductory psychology students, several of whom we re of nontraditional age, responded to a questionnaire that asked abou t the frequency of their mutual and unrequited love experiences. Respo ndents provided information for four age periods ranging from childhoo d to age 25 years. Although the frequency of recalled mutual love expe riences increased for both genders from childhood through the 16-to-20 -year-age period, men reported more episodes of unrequited love during the 16-to-20-year-age period compared to (a) other age periods, (b) t heir reports of mutual love during that age period, and (c) the report s of unrequited love for 16-to-20-year-old women.