Friendship and Romantic Relationship Qualities in Emerging Adulthood: Differential Associations with Identity Development and Achieved Adulthood Criteria

Abstract

This study examined how emerging adults' identity development and achievement of adulthood criteria were related to qualities of their friendships and romantic relationships. Participants included 710 emerging adults (ages 18-26). Results indicated that identity achievement was related positively to four romantic relationship qualities, but not to any friendship qualities. Several achieved adulthood criteria were related positively to romantic relationship qualities; however, achieved adulthood criteria were related negatively to friendship qualities. It appears that progress on salient developmental tasks of adulthood carries important implications for emerging adults' social relationships, but in ways that are more differentiated than commonly assumed.

Strategy narratives and wellbeing challenges: The role of everyday self-presentation

“…Furthermore, past researchers have shown that perceived qualities of friendships and romantic relationships have a differential impact on emerging adults' (ages 18-26) identity development (Barry, Madsen, Nelson, Carroll and Badger 2009). An investigation into wellbeing challenges and their corresponding strategy narratives in the context of specific social relationships should shed further light on consumer wellbeing management.…”

Social Skills Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

“…Research suggests that having good social skills and adequate social support relate to better quality of life in adults with ASD (Jennes-Coussens et al 2006;Wing 1983). Similarly, most neurotypical individuals develop close friendships and romantic relationships by young adulthood (Collins and Madsen 2006), the latter of which correlates positively with independence (Barry et al 2009). Moreover, having at least one or two close friends strengthens mental health outcomes and can buffer the impact of stressful life events (Miller and Ingham 1976).…”

Interpersonal identity formation in conversations with close friends about dating relationships

“…Scharf and Mayseless (2001) also found that overall higher qualities of friendships were associated with higher capabilities for intimacy in romantic relationships. Recent research with young adults has also revealed associations between an achieved identity status and romantic relationship quality, but not friendship quality (Barry, Madsen, Nelson, Carroll and Badger, 2009). These results were interpreted as revealing a shift from the prominence of friendships toward romantic relationships during emerging adulthood.…”