Observed Autonomy And Connection With Parents And Peers As Predictors Of Early Adolescent Sexual Adaptation Joseph P. Allen Felicia Hall University of Virginia Other Collaborators: Heather Tencer Christy McFarland Andrea Cole Maryfrances Porter Penny Marsh Farah Williams Martin Ho Jess Meyer Mindy Schmidt Copies Today’s Talk & Related Papers are available at: faculty.virginia.edu/allen

Theoretical Perspective The adolescent transition in seeking intimacy, affection and support: From parents, to peers and (eventually) to romantic partners An “intimacy and affection gap” in early adolescence? Teens try to rely on parents less, but peer relationships are still slowly developing Same-gender peer relations may help fill this intimacy gap as may parents, to a decreasing degree. Overarching Hypothesis: Early adolescents will seek intimacy prematurely from romantic relationships when they are not able to obtain it with parents and same-gender peers.

Central Question: Do high quality close relationships with parents and peers predict a slower onset of dating and sexual behavior? If so, which aspects of these relationships are most important?

Sample 148 Adolescents, their Parents and Best Friends Assessed Annually, Beginning at Age 13 Equal numbers of Males and Females Community-based Sample from a small urban area. 31% African American; 69% European American Highly Socio-economically Diverse (Median Family Income= $38,000)

Measures: Dating & Sex Dating Behavior Computer-assisted Interviewing to maintain anonymity 5-items, Assessing Dating History and Low-level romantic/sexual behavior (e.g., holding hands, kissing, etc.) Summed into a single overall scale. Mean at Wave 1 (age 13): s.d. = 8.80 Mean at Wave 2 (age 14): s.d. = 8.12 Mean at Wave 3 (age 15): s.d. = 9.00

Measures: Dating & Sex Sexual Behavior Computer-assisted Interviewing to maintain anonymity Multiple questions about intercourse, but focus here on presence or absence of a history of consensual sexual intercourse. Sexually Active at Age 13: 10.3% Sexually Active at Age 14:13.7% Sexually Active at Age 15:23.4%

Measures: Dating & Sex Attitudes Toward Sexual Behavior Assessed for Both Mothers and Adolescents “At What Age Are Each of the Following Appropriate: referring to someone as a boyfriend/girlfriend going out on dates in groups going out on dates alone kissing falling in love having sex Items are averaged to yield an overall measure of Liberal Attitudes (e.g., activities are appropriate at younger ages.) Mother and Teen Values are significantly correlated: r =.52***, but…

Mean Age (Years) at Which Mothers and Adolescents See Different Romantic Behaviors as Acceptable: Behavior Maternal Views (yrs) Adolescent Views (yrs) Referring to someone as a boyfriend/girlfriend Going out on dates in groups Going out on dates alone Kissing a boyfriend/girlfriend Falling in Love Having Sex

Behavior Maternal Views (yrs) Adolescent Views (yrs) Actual Incidence by Age 13 Referring to someone as a boyfriend/girlfriend % Going out on dates in groups % Going out on dates alone Kissing a boyfriend/girlfriend % Falling in Love Having Sex % Maternal Views of Acceptable Ages for Various Behaviors vs. Actual Incidence of Behaviors by Age 13

Predictions from Adolescent Attitudes at Age 13 to Change in Dating Behavior from Age 13 to Age 15 Adolescent Dating Experience by Age 15 R2R2 Total R 2 Step I. Dating Behavior (Age 13).64***.41*** Step II. Teen Attitudes about Romantic Behavior.19**.05**.46*** Note:  weights are from variable’s entry into model. Teen Attitudes Predict Changes in Dating Behavior from Age 13 to Age 15.

Hypothesized Relationship Predictors of Adolescent Dating and Sexual Behavior Competence with: Autonomy Establishing Behaviors Relatedness/Connection Maintaining Behaviors

Hypothesized Relationship Predictors of Adolescent Dating and Sexual Behavior Competence with: Autonomy Establishing Behaviors: Observing a Disagreement in a Revealed Differences Task Coded via Autonomy & Relatedness Coding System (Allen et al., 1998) –Can disagreements be handled in a way that preserves both members’ autonomy and sense of relatedness with one another?

Hypothesized Relationship Predictors of Adolescent Dating and Sexual Behavior Competence with: Connection-Promoting Behaviors: 8-minute task conducted separately with –Adolescents and their Mothers –Adolescents and their Closest Friend Discussing a Topic about which the Teen “would like some help.” –Discussions cover a broad range of topics selected by the teen (e.g., how to earn income, to peer teasing, to academic issues)

Measures: Supportive Behavior Interaction Task (Crowell et al., in press; Julien, Markman et al., 1997) Coded for: Emotional support provided by parent or peer Degree of Engagement with other person in the interaction Listener’s Accurate Interpretation of the problem Apparent Teen Satisfaction with Interaction

Predictions from Competence with Autonomy Tasks: No Predictions Were Found The scales from the Autonomy & Relatedness Coding System were consistently and robustly not linked to adolescent dating or sexual behavior. Handling of disagreements with parents is not linked to adolescent dating and sexual behavior in early adolescence

Predictions from Satisfaction with Supportive Interaction Task with Mothers (Age 13) Adolescent Dating Experience by Age 14 R2R2 Total R 2 Step I. Age.25* Gender (1=M 2=F) * Step II. Satisfaction with Maternal Support-.21*.04*.12** Note:  weights are from variable’s entry into model. Early Dating is Predicted by Observed Lack of Satisfaction with Maternal Support

Predictions from Peer Engagement with Supportive Interaction Task with Closest Friend (Age 13) Adolescent Sexual Experience by Age 14 22 Odds ratio Age Gender (1=M 2=F) Peer Engagement-.34** ** Note: Predictions are based on logistic regressions predicting presence vs. absence of history of consensual sexual intercourse. Early Sexual Experience is Predicted by Observed Lack of a Close Friend’s Engagement in a Support Task

Predictions from Peer Interpretation Skill in Supportive Interaction Task with Closest Friend (Age 13) Early Sexual Experience is Predicted by Close Friend’s Inability to Interpret Teen Calls for Support Accurately. Adolescent Sexual Experience by Age 14 22 Odds ratio Age Gender (1=M 2=F) Peer Interpretation Skill-.27*4.35*0.55*

Predictions from Teen Engagement in Supportive Interaction Task with Closest Friend (Age 13) Early Sexual Experience is Predicted by Observed Lack of Teen’s Engagement with a Close Friend. Adolescent Sexual Experience by Age 14 22 Odds ratio Age Gender (1=M 2=F) Teen Engagement-.27*3.80*0.52*

Predictions from Teen Satisfaction with Supportive Interaction Task with Closest Friend (Age 13) Early Sexual Experience is Predicted by Teens’ Lack of Satisfaction with Interactions with Closest Friend when asking for Support. Adolescent Sexual Experience by Age 14 22 Odds ratio Age Gender (1=M 2=F) Teen Satisfaction-.32*4.64*0.44*

Predictions from Maternal Engagement in Supportive Interaction Task with Mothers (Age 13) Early Sexual Experience is Predicted by Observed Lack of Maternal Engagement with Teens’ in a Supportive Behavior Task. Adolescent Sexual Experience by Age 14 22 Odds ratio Age Gender (1=M 2=F) Maternal Engagement-.50**5.88**0.35**

Conjoint role of Maternal & Peer Engagement in Predicting Adolescent Sexual Behavior Maternal Engagement Teen Engagement Adolescent Sexual Behavior -.27*.33**

Prediction of Teen Attitudes Toward Romantic/Sexual Behavior Adolescent Romantic Attitudes by Age 15 R2R2 Total R 2 Step I. Age.23 Gender (1=M 2=F).05.10* Step II. Maternal Engagement-.24*.06*.16** Step III. Maternal Romantic Attitudes.48***.15***.31*** Step IV. Maternal Attitude X Engagement-.22*.05*.36*** Maternal Attitudes & Engagement Interact to Predict Teen Attitudes.

Prediction of Teen Attitudes Toward Romantic Behaviors from Maternal Attitudes X Maternal Engagement Conservative Maternal Attitudes Liberal Maternal Attitudes Low Maternal Engagement High Maternal Engagement

Prediction of Changes in Teen Attitudes Toward Romantic/Sexual Behavior Adolescent Romantic Attitudes by Age 14 R2R2 Total R 2 Step I. Adolescent Attitudes at Age 13.71***.52*** Step II. Demographics Age.12* Gender (1=M 2=F) *** Step III. Adolescent Engagement with Peer-.12*.02*.55*** Engagement with Peers Predicts Increasingly Conservative Attitudes.

Predictors of Adolescent Dating & Sexual Behavior Overarching Conclusion: Qualities of Adolescent’s NON-Sexual relationships are good predictors of dating and sexual behavior Specific Findings: Autonomy processes do not generally appear as predictors of dating or sexual behavior A Strong Connection to Parents and Peers is the most consistent predictor of avoidance of early dating and sex.

Predictors of Adolescent Dating & Sexual Behavior Limitations Longitudinal analyses do not support causal inferences Need to consider other aspects of peer relations Have not yet examined autonomy in peer relations Predictors of behavior at age 14 may be different from those later in adolescence Copies of Today’s Talk & Related Papers are available at: faculty.virginia.edu/allen