2. Family Influences Adolescents’ Romantic Relationships

3. Purpose The purpose of this project is to investigate how family and specifically parenting can influence an adolescent into developing unhealthy romantic relationships.

4. Midwestern Feel One strange aspect of the information gathered for this paper is that most of it seems to come from the mid-west. Almost all the information I have included is from adolescents in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinios, and as one journal article stated, “a large midwestern university” So all findings in this paper should be thought of as findings in reference to predominantly white, Midwestern America.

5. Part One – Family Risks for Unhealthy Romantic Relationships

6. Conflict Resolution Conflict is an inevitable in all relationships. How we handle conflict not only influences that relationship, but how we handle conflict in future relationships. Observational learning and modeling by caregivers like parents may explain individuals behavior in future relationships. Within families, adolescents can practice resolution styles with parents and siblings. Conflict is an inevitable in all relationships. How we handle conflict not only influences that relationship, but how we handle conflict in future relationships. Observational learning and modeling by caregivers like parents may explain individuals behavior in future relationships. Within families, adolescents can practice resolution styles with parents and siblings.

7. Interparental Conflict A study at Marquette University had the following findings. Adolescents ’ observed their parents: –  (63%) one parent had insulted the other during an argument. –  (43%) seen or heard a parent threaten to hit or throw something at the other. –  (31%) a parent had pushed, shoved, or grabbed the other parent during a conflict. –  (17%) a parent had kicked, hit, or bit the other parent. –  (12%) one parent had threatened to use a knife or gun. A study at Marquette University had the following findings. Adolescents ’ observed their parents: –– (63%) one parent had insulted the other during an argument. –– (43%) seen or heard a parent threaten to hit or throw something at the other. –– (31%) a parent had pushed, shoved, or grabbed the other parent during a conflict. –– (17%) a parent had kicked, hit, or bit the other parent. –– (12%) one parent had threatened to use a knife or gun.

8. Interparental Conflict The adolescents themselves had engaged in the following behavior. –(20%) acknowledged that they had insulted, ridiculed, or made fun of their partners in front of others. –(19%) reported that they had pushed, shoved, or shook their partners –(17%) had hit, punched, or kicked a boyfriend or girlfriend. The adolescents themselves had engaged in the following behavior. –(20%) acknowledged that they had insulted, ridiculed, or made fun of their partners in front of others. –(19%) reported that they had pushed, shoved, or shook their partners –(17%) had hit, punched, or kicked a boyfriend or girlfriend.

9. Interparental Conflict

10. Other studies support these findings.A study of adolescents experience at age 13 and how it correlates to their actions at ages 21 and 23 found that. Witnessing partner violence had the following correlations, –At 21, (.19) Perpetration of Physical Agression and (.23) Victimization of Physical Aggression. –At 23, (.23) Perpetration of Physical Agression and (.24) Victimization of Physical Aggression. –At 21, (-.27) conflict resolution, and (.14) hostility. Teen fathers were more likely to report being raised in abusive families where domestic violence and parental separation were the norms. Other studies support these findings.A study of adolescents experience at age 13 and how it correlates to their actions at ages 21 and 23 found that. Witnessing partner violence had the following correlations, –At 21, (.19) Perpetration of Physical Agression and (.23) Victimization of Physical Aggression. –At 23, (.23) Perpetration of Physical Agression and (.24) Victimization of Physical Aggression. –At 21, (-.27) conflict resolution, and (.14) hostility. Teen fathers were more likely to report being raised in abusive families where domestic violence and parental separation were the norms.

11. Parent-Child Conflict Resolution Some researchers believe. “ It is not the conflict between the parents that appear to influence how offspring behave later on in their outside relationships, but the conflicts between the parent and the child. ” A child that experiences more negative conflict resolution behaviors with a parent, but positive resolution with a sibling, the negative resolution style will be perpetuated in relationships outside the home. ” Some researchers believe. “ It is not the conflict between the parents that appear to influence how offspring behave later on in their outside relationships, but the conflicts between the parent and the child. ” A child that experiences more negative conflict resolution behaviors with a parent, but positive resolution with a sibling, the negative resolution style will be perpetuated in relationships outside the home. ”

12. Parent-Child Conflict Resolution The sex of the child and sex of the parent can be factors too. “ Females who reported more positive conflict resolution with their mothers and fathers reported more positive conflict resolution behaviors with their romantic relationships. Females who reported a more negative conflict resolution behavior with their parents reported more negative conflict resolution behaviors with their romantic relationships. ” The sex of the child and sex of the parent can be factors too. “ Females who reported more positive conflict resolution with their mothers and fathers reported more positive conflict resolution behaviors with their romantic relationships. Females who reported a more negative conflict resolution behavior with their parents reported more negative conflict resolution behaviors with their romantic relationships. ”

13. Parent-Child Conflict Resolution Even when adolescent girls who have sexually active peer groups, those girls whose mothers are more responsive to them are more likely to delay intercourse. For males the conflict resolution behavior experienced with their father significantly predicted the conflict resolution behavior with their girlfriends. Even when adolescent girls who have sexually active peer groups, those girls whose mothers are more responsive to them are more likely to delay intercourse. For males the conflict resolution behavior experienced with their father significantly predicted the conflict resolution behavior with their girlfriends.

14. Parenting Style One study identifies four main parenting styles based on ratings of high or low in the categories of parental control/monitoring and warmth, Authoritative- High control and high warmth. Authoritarian- High control and low warmth. Indulgent- Low Control and high warmth. Negligent- Low Control and low warmth. One study identifies four main parenting styles based on ratings of high or low in the categories of parental control/monitoring and warmth, Authoritative- High control and high warmth. Authoritarian- High control and low warmth. Indulgent- Low Control and high warmth. Negligent- Low Control and low warmth.

15. Parenting Style Some results from some studies. It was found that Authoritative family relationships were optimal. This style protects young adolescents from some of the negative effects of steady dating on adjustment, such as internalizing problems (i.e. depression and self-esteem) and lowered academic achievements. Security of attachment to the mother appeared to have a protective effect, whereas marital discord and authoritarian parenting were risk factors. Family factors seem to affect girls more than boys. Overall, higher levels of depressive mood, psychological stress, and dissatisfaction with life were associated with the authoritarian style of parenting. Some results from some studies. It was found that Authoritative family relationships were optimal. This style protects young adolescents from some of the negative effects of steady dating on adjustment, such as internalizing problems (i.e. depression and self-esteem) and lowered academic achievements. Security of attachment to the mother appeared to have a protective effect, whereas marital discord and authoritarian parenting were risk factors. Family factors seem to affect girls more than boys. Overall, higher levels of depressive mood, psychological stress, and dissatisfaction with life were associated with the authoritarian style of parenting.

16. Attachment Style There are three primary attachment styles. anxious/ambivalent (characteristic of individuals who intermix attachment behaviors with overt expressions of protest and anger toward the primary caregiver when distressed) avoidant (characteristic of individuals who avoid the caregiver and exhibit signs of detachment when distressed) secure (characteristic of individuals who successfully use the caregiver as a secure base when distressed) There are three primary attachment styles. anxious/ambivalent (characteristic of individuals who intermix attachment behaviors with overt expressions of protest and anger toward the primary caregiver when distressed) avoidant (characteristic of individuals who avoid the caregiver and exhibit signs of detachment when distressed) secure (characteristic of individuals who successfully use the caregiver as a secure base when distressed)

17. Attachment Style Attachment style is likely to influence an individual's relationships with others, because it reflects general views about the rewards and dangers of interpersonal relationships, especially in intimate relationships. Secure subjects tended to report positive early family relationships and to express trusting attitudes toward others. Anxious – ambivalent subjects were the most likely to perceive a lack of paternal supportiveness; they also expressed dependence and desire for commitment in relationships. Subjects in the avoidant group were most likely to endorse items measuring mistrust of and distance from others. In comparison with both insecure groups, secure subjects were relatively trusting in their relationships and high in self-confidence. The major characteristic of the avoidant style is, indeed, the avoidance of intimacy. Attachment style is likely to influence an individual's relationships with others, because it reflects general views about the rewards and dangers of interpersonal relationships, especially in intimate relationships. Secure subjects tended to report positive early family relationships and to express trusting attitudes toward others. Anxious – ambivalent subjects were the most likely to perceive a lack of paternal supportiveness; they also expressed dependence and desire for commitment in relationships. Subjects in the avoidant group were most likely to endorse items measuring mistrust of and distance from others. In comparison with both insecure groups, secure subjects were relatively trusting in their relationships and high in self-confidence. The major characteristic of the avoidant style is, indeed, the avoidance of intimacy.

18. Part Two – What a family can do to limit the risks.

19. Interparental Conflict  Adolescents’ from families with lower levels of interparental conflict were more likely to be in relationships with less abusive behavior.  Adolescents' perceptions and interpretations of parents' supportive marital qualities were significantly related to their positive attributes in the areas of conflict, conflict styles, satisfaction, and perceived competence with romantic partners.  Adolescents’ from families with lower levels of interparental conflict were more likely to be in relationships with less abusive behavior.  Adolescents' perceptions and interpretations of parents' supportive marital qualities were significantly related to their positive attributes in the areas of conflict, conflict styles, satisfaction, and perceived competence with romantic partners.

20. Parent-Child Conflict  A positive communication style between the parent and the adolescent has been shown to be a predictor of positive communication in adolescent-romantic partner relationship. This correlation is stronger for girls, and the father- adolescent relationship is more influential than the mother-adolescent relationship.  The quality of the parent-child relationship is even more powerful than early family violence as a predictor of physical aggression and conflict management  A positive communication style between the parent and the adolescent has been shown to be a predictor of positive communication in adolescent-romantic partner relationship. This correlation is stronger for girls, and the father- adolescent relationship is more influential than the mother-adolescent relationship.  The quality of the parent-child relationship is even more powerful than early family violence as a predictor of physical aggression and conflict management

21. Parenting Style  Adolescents’ with parents who are both caring and involved (authoritative) with their adolescents show that they will have better relationship skills.  Parenting that effectively manages the behavior of offspring within the context of a developmentally appropriate and warm relationship leads to an interpersonal style that fosters close relationships.  Adolescents’ with parents who are both caring and involved (authoritative) with their adolescents show that they will have better relationship skills.  Parenting that effectively manages the behavior of offspring within the context of a developmentally appropriate and warm relationship leads to an interpersonal style that fosters close relationships.

22. Attachment Style  Attachment style in adolescence forecasts the nature and quality of intimate relationships in adulthood. Secure adolescents went on to have relationships that were substantially more favorable than the other attachment styles.  The possibility that secure subjects may be more “successful” than the other styles in their romantic relationships is suggested by two findings: their greater mean relationship length and their low scores on the Unfulfilled Hopes scale.  Attachment style in adolescence forecasts the nature and quality of intimate relationships in adulthood. Secure adolescents went on to have relationships that were substantially more favorable than the other attachment styles.  The possibility that secure subjects may be more “successful” than the other styles in their romantic relationships is suggested by two findings: their greater mean relationship length and their low scores on the Unfulfilled Hopes scale.

23. Conclusion Experiences in Romantic Relationships are embedded not only in the current context, but in the history of close relationships that each participant brings to them. Families provide these close relationships during childhood and adolescence, teaching the attributes of good relationships. Experiences in Romantic Relationships are embedded not only in the current context, but in the history of close relationships that each participant brings to them. Families provide these close relationships during childhood and adolescence, teaching the attributes of good relationships.

24. Thank You!!! AAAAny Questions?