The relationship between family structure and process variables and adolescent decision making

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between family structural and process variables and adolescent participation in family decisions and vigilant decision making. Data were obtained from a survey sample of 585 adolescents aged 12–18 years living in Adelaide, South Australia. Adolescents from one‐parent families participated in a greater number of family decisions than those from two‐parent families. Adolescents from families adaptable in allocating roles and setting rules participated in more family decisions than those from low adaptable families. Family socio‐economic status was significantly linked to the adolescent's self reported vigilance. High family cohesion, good parent‐adolescent communication and sound parental conflict resolution skills were also significantly related to adolescents' vigilant decision making, testifying to the importance of family environment in the socialization of adolescents for decision making

Attachment and Autonomy During Adolescence

“…Studies often have revealed opposite conclusions, as well as complicated interactions between parents ' and adolescents ' gender, as suggested above. Studies have indicated, for example, that mother -daughter relationships become particularly disrupted and conflictual during adolescence (Buchanan et al, 1990 ;Holmbeck & Hill, 1991 ;Montemayor, 1982Montemayor, , 1986Smetana, 1988aSmetana, , 1989Smetana, Daddis, & Chuang, 2003 ), although other research has not supported this pattern (Hill & Holmbeck, 1986 ;Smetana, Yau, & Hanson, 1991 ;Papini et al, 1988 evidence that adolescent girls perceive higher levels of autonomy support from parents, and are granted more input into family decision making (Beyers & Goossens, 1999 ;Brown & Mann, 1990 ;Flanagan, 1990 ;Fuligni & Eccles, 1993 ;Holmbeck & O ' Donnell, 1991 ;Jacobs, Bennett, & Flanagan, 1993;Soenens et al, 2007 ). However, these differences may at least partially depend on the gender of the parent and on other family characteristics, such as cultural context and parental attitudes toward gender roles (Bumpus, Crouter, & McHale, 1998 ;Daddis & Smetana, 2005 ).…”

Purchase decision making and the increasing significance of family types

“…What is unique about the current situation is that there appears to be fewer legal barriers to the increased complexity and it is occurring on a global scale (Maclean & Eekelaar, 1997). There has been a well-documented decline in the 'intact' or 'traditional' family household (Haskey, 1998) and consequently, step-families (or blended families as described by Brown and Mann, 1990) formed as a result of individuals re-marrying or co-habiting with new partners are more prevalent than single parent households.…”

Decision Making Styles: A Systematic Review of Their Associations with Parenting

“…The primary decision making style is considered as being the dominant decision making style, being the most prevalent when making decisions. Brown and Mann (1990) and Udell et al (2008) emphasize the importance that the familial environment plays in the development of adolescent decision making abilities. In addition, the way in which adolescents develop their decision making is often based on their parents' decision making strategies (Ö zȕtrk et al 2011).…”