Connecting the intrapersonal to the interpersonal: Autonomy, voice, parents, and romantic relationships in emerging adulthood

Abstract

Multiple forms of adolescent autonomy (emotional autonomy, voice, and cognitive autonomy) were examined as correlates of parental and partner relationships. Measures included parental warmth and psychological control, and romantic support and negative interactions. Participants were 206 students (age 17 to 20, M age ¼ 18) who had romantic partners. Those who reported more emotional autonomy from parents (e.g., individuation and nondependence) reported less voice with parents and less cognitive autonomy. Adolescents reported less independence from their parents, more voice with parents and more confidence in their own choices when they reported more parental warmth. Adolescents reported less independence from their parents and less voice when their parents were more controlling. Participants reported more independence from parents and more voice when they reported more romantic partner support. The results show how necessary it is to consider multiple aspects of autonomy and relationships to understand how the intrapersonal and interpersonal are connected.

The Longitudinal Influence of Self‐Efficacy, Communication, and Parenting on Spontaneous Adolescent Disclosure

“…A child with a psychologically controlling parent is therefore expected to refrain from disclosure in order to avoid being exposed to the use of these techniques (Soenens et al., ). This is in line with research showing that parental psychological control serves to undermine adolescents' voice with parents, including their articulation of personal experiences (Zimmer‐Gembeck, Madsen, & Hanisch, ). Whereas some studies have found evidence consistent with a negative relationship between parental psychological control and a child's willingness to share information (e.g., Soenens et al., ; Urry, Nelson, & Padilla‐Walker, ), others have reported no such relationship (e.g., Hunter et al., ).…”

Leaving Home: A Qualitative Study

“…Our participants expressed a desire to move away from their parents by establishing a separate residence. This interpersonal shift has been linked to intrapersonal development related to individuation (Zimmer-Gembeck, Madsen, & Hanisch, 2011). At the same time, participants felt close to family, enjoyed many benefits while living at home, and worried about how their parents would cope when they left.…”

Emotional autonomy and adjustment among emerging adults: The moderating role of family relationships

“…However, other authors dispute the argument that achieving emotional autonomy is a developmental task, supporting instead the theory that adolescents who feel more emotionally autonomous from their parents perceive lower quality, less affection and less love in their relationships with them (Ryan & Lynch, ; Zimmer‐Gembeck, Madsen & Hanisch, ). These studies have also shown that high levels of emotional autonomy are associated with challenges in family relationships during adolescence and emerging adulthood, less cohesive family structures marked by a lack of emotional intimacy and communication, and more difficult parent‐child relationships (Neff & Harter, ; Yu, ).…”