Balancing Developmental Demands: Adolescent Autonomy and Relatedness Across Relational Contexts Physical Attractiveness as a Predictor of Adolescent Autonomy Behavior Megan M Schad, Joseph P Allen, David E Szwedo, & Joanna M. Chango

Introduction Physical attractiveness is associated with positive social development – Infancy

Introduction Physical attractiveness is associated with positive social development – Infancy – Childhood

Introduction Physical attractiveness is associated with positive social development – Infancy – Childhood – Adolescence

Introduction Physical attractiveness is associated with positive social development – Infancy – Childhood – Adolescence – Adulthood

Information cues Physical attractiveness Implicit Personality Theory

Important time to study physical attractiveness Potentially influenced by attractiveness of the adolescent Adolescence

What does it mean to be an attractive adolescent? What does that mean for you as an adolescent beginning to make decisions with less parental influence? Overarching Question

Establishing Autonomy A developmental task in adolescence Developing these skills is associated with

Influence on Interpersonal Dynamics Others defer to physically attractive individuals How does this relate to autonomy processes in adolescence?

Translation of Skills Translation of interpersonal dynamics in adolescence – From parent relationships into peer and romantic relationships Possible pattern of interacting

Research Hypotheses This study investigates the longitudinal changes in autonomy behaviors as predicted by – Physical Attractiveness It is examined across different contexts – Maternal Relationships – Friendships

Research Hypotheses This study investigates the longitudinal changes in autonomy behaviors as predicted by – Physical Attractiveness It is examined across different contexts – Maternal Relationships – Friendships Physical Attractiveness will predict fewer autonomy behaviors in maternal and peer relationships over the course of adolescence.

Research Hypotheses This study investigates the longitudinal changes in autonomy behaviors as predicted by – Physical Attractiveness It is examined across different contexts – Maternal Relationships – Friendships Physical Attractiveness will predict fewer autonomy behaviors in maternal and peer relationships over the course of adolescence. Behaviors displayed by mothers toward teens will later be displayed by teens toward friends.

Method Participants consisted of: – 184 adolescents – Mothers – Close friends

Method Participants consisted of: – 184 adolescents – Mothers – Close friends Participants were measured five times – Time 1 = Teens, Mothers (age 13) – Time 2 = Teens, Best Friends (age 15) – Time 3 = Teens, Best Friends, Mothers (age 16) – Time 4 = Teens, Best friends (age 17) – Time 5 = Teens, Best Friends, Mothers (age 18)

Method Participants consisted of: – 184 adolescents – Mothers – Close friends Participants were measured five times – Time 1 = Teens, Mothers (age 13) – Time 2 = Teens, Best Friends (age 15) – Time 3 = Teens, Best Friends, Mothers (age 16) – Time 4 = Teens, Best friends (age 17) – Time 5 = Teens, Best Friends, Mothers (age 18) This was a racially & socioeconomically diverse sample

Measures Physical Attractiveness of adolescents – Observational – Naïve coding system – Age 15

Measures Physical Attractiveness of adolescents – Observational – Naïve coding system – Age 15 Autonomy Behaviors – Undermining – Assertions of own autonomy

Measures Physical Attractiveness of adolescents – Observational – Naïve coding system – Age 15 Autonomy Behaviors – Undermining – Assertions of own autonomy – Mother toward adolescent Ages 13, 16, 18 – Adolescent toward close friend Ages 15, 16, 17, 18

Results

Maternal Relationship Maternal Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status β=.21**

Maternal Relationship Baseline Maternal Undermining Autonomy Maternal Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status β=.25**

Maternal Relationship Baseline Maternal Undermining Autonomy Maternal Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.22** β= -.21* r = -.18*

Maternal Relationship Baseline Maternal Undermining Autonomy Maternal Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.22** β= -.21* r = -.18* Maternal Behaviors: Teens who are more attractive have mothers who exhibit fewer autonomy undermining behaviors over three years.

Maternal Relationship Maternal Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status

Maternal Relationship Baseline Maternal Forceful Autonomy Maternal Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status β=.44***

Maternal Relationship Baseline Maternal Forceful Autonomy Maternal Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.47*** β= -.25** r =.06

Maternal Relationship Baseline Maternal Forceful Autonomy Maternal Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.47*** β= -.25** r =.06 Maternal Behaviors: Teens who are more attractive have mothers who exhibit fewer forceful assertions of autonomy over three years.

Friendship

Friendships Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status

Friendships Baseline Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status β=.26***

Friendships Baseline Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.24** β= -.23** r = -.11

Friendships Baseline Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Adolescent Undermining Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.24** β= -.23** r = -.11 Teen Behaviors: Teens who are more attractive exhibit fewer autonomy undermining behaviors over two years with their friends.

Friendships Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status β= -.25***

Friendships Baseline Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status β=.34*** β= -.25***

Friendships Baseline Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.35*** β= -.17* r =.07 β= -.26***

Friendships Baseline Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Adolescent Forceful Autonomy Gender Minority Status Adolescent Physical Attractiveness β=.35*** β= -.17* r =.07 Teen Behaviors: Teens who are more attractive exhibit fewer forceful assertions of autonomy over two years with their friends. β= -.26***

Results Maternal Behaviors: Teens who are more attractive have mothers who exhibit fewer autonomy undermining behaviors and forceful assertions of autonomy over three years. Teen Behaviors: Teens who are more attractive exhibit fewer autonomy undermining behaviors and forceful assertions of autonomy over two years with their friends.

Discussion What does this mean? – Adolescents may become more agreeable – Are teens learning to be more agreeable from their mothers?

Limitations Data not causal – 5 years longitudinally

Conclusions Importance of parent relationships in early adolescence Social acceptability of physical attractiveness Preferential treatment may create a dual trajectory

Thanks Thank you to my co-authors – Joseph P. Allen – David E. Szwedo – Joanna M. Chango Collaborators – the KLIFF/VIDA lab: Erin Miga, Emily Marston, Amanda Hare, Elie Hessel, Emily Loeb, Chris Hafen, Barbara Oudekerk, Caroline White, Ann Spilker, Research Assistants NIMH for funding awarded to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator, (R01-MH58066) for the conduct of this study NICHD for funding awarded to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator, (9R01HD A1) for the write-up of this study

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