Adolescent romantic breakups in Delhi-NCR, India: prevalence and associations with mental health outcomes

Although common, adolescent romantic breakups (ARB) remain an underexamined aspect of youth well-being in low- and middle-income countries, where romantic expression during adolescence is often stigmatized and poorly supported. This study examines the prevalence and correlates of ARB and explores its association with mental health outcomes among young adults in the Delhi National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR), India. This cross-sectional study included 1,481 young adults from two universities in Delhi-NCR, India. Participants retrospectively reported their experiences of romantic breakups before the age of 18, along with sociodemographic, familial, and contextual characteristics. Mental health outcomes were assessed using standardized instruments. ARB was reported by 27.8% of participants, with higher prevalence among males, those from upper socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with greater digital access. Maternal education and occupation were also associated with ARB. Participants reporting ARB had higher odds of moderate to severe depression (aOR = 1.83), moderate to severe anxiety (aOR = 1.65), suicidal behaviour (aOR = 2.82), and poor well-being (aOR = 1.39) compared to those without such experiences. The relatively high prevalence and socially patterned nature of ARB, along with its association with mental health outcomes among youth in Delhi-NCR, suggest that romantic breakups may represent a relevant yet underexplored dimension of adolescent experience. These findings highlight the potential value of considering relational experiences within broader frameworks of adolescent health. Approaches that incorporate emotional literacy, school-based psychosocial support, and family-level engagement may represent useful areas for future research.