A Developmental Perspective on Young Adult Romantic Relationships: Examining Family and Individual Factors in Adolescence

Abstract

The ability to develop and maintain healthy romantic relationships is a key developmental task in young adulthood. The present study investigated how adolescent interpersonal skills (assertiveness, positive engagement) and family processes (family climate, parenting practices) influence the development of young adult romantic relationship functioning. We evaluated cross-lag structural equation models with a sample of 974 early adolescents living in rural and semi-rural communities in Pennsylvania and Iowa, starting in sixth grade (mean age = 12.4, 62.1% female) and followed into young adulthood (mean age = 19.5). Findings revealed that adolescents who had experienced a more positive family climate and more competent parenting reported more effective problem-solving skills and less violent behavior in their young adult romantic relationships. Adolescent assertiveness was consistently positively associated with relationship problem-solving skills, and adolescents' positive engagement with their family was associated with feeling more love in young adult romantic relationships. In addition, family functioning and adolescent interpersonal skills exhibited some reciprocal relations over the adolescent years. In summary, family processes and interpersonal skills are mutually influenced by each other across adolescence, and both have unique predictive implications to specific facets of young adult romantic relationship functioning.

Parent’s Just Don’t Understand: Parental Support, Religion and Depressive Symptoms among Same-Race and Interracial Relationships

“…In addition to health, parents play a significant role in the formation and quality of the romantic relationships their children experience as adults (Collins and Read 1990;Del Toro 2012;Xia et al 2018). Parents offer children a foundation, via parental practices and family climate, on which to build future relationships that influence the quality, function, and health of young adult romantic ties (Raby et al 2015;Xia et al 2018). The loss of parental support, perhaps as a consequence of a child's relationship, may result in unfavorable health consequences.…”

Temperamental determinants of coping flexibility in adolescents

“…Among new challenges considerable changes in social demands seem to be of particular importance: adolescents are expected to make significant decisions and to be increasingly more responsible for their behavior [33]. Moreover, they engage in romantic relationships, and develop a sense of identity [34]. Adolescents enter a variety of new roles in their interactions with parents, peers or romantic partners.…”

“…Szczególnie znacząca wśród nowych wyzwań jest w adolescencji istotna zmiana wymagań społecznych związanych z podejmowaniem znaczących decyzji i coraz większej odpowiedzialności za własne postępowanie [33]. Dodatkowo pojawiają się romantyczne relacje, kształtuje się tożsamość młodych ludzi [34]. Adolescenci zaczynają odgrywać nowe i różnorodne role w interakcjach z rodzicami, rówieśnikami lub partnerami romantycznymi.…”

Family Functioning among Rural Teens and Caregivers: Interactive Influence on Teen Dating Violence

“…Across a variety of factors associated with unhealthy relationships, family environment has been identified as both a risk and a protective influence. Research generally reveals that a supportive family environment reduces the likelihood of dating violence victimization and perpetration (Xia, Fosco, Lippold, & Feinberg, ). Similarly, negative aspects of family functioning, including poor parenting and aggressive family dynamics, have been found to put adolescents at risk of getting involved or staying in an abusive relationship (Makin‐Byrd & Bierman, ).…”