1. Introduction Results Conclusions Method
The Role of Autonomy with Peers and Parents on Late Adolescent Sexual and Romantic Relationship Experiences Jessica Kansky, Erik Ruzek, Joseph Tan, Rachel Narr, & Joseph P. Allen University of Virginia We would like to thank the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development for funding awarded to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator, (R01 HD & R01-MH58066) for funding to conduct this study as well as for the write-up of this study.
Figure 1: Peer and Parent Behaviors Promoting Autonomy Predicting Adolescent Adult Romantic Relationship Qualities
Introduction
Results
Age 17
In early adolescence, the developmental challenge of seeking autonomy from parents and increasing integration with same-aged friends becomes dominant (Steinberg, 2001).
As individuals progress through adolescence, they begin to navigate a new type of intimate relationship – dating.
Evidence suggests a cascade effect in relationship quality from parents to peers to romantic partner (Oudekerk et al., 2015).
Prior findings point to deviant peers as a predictor of poor early romantic relationships (Capaldi et al., 2004).
Little research considered the potential benefit of positive autonomous peer relationships on early dating. Whether autonomy with parents and peers impact romantic development differently is even less clear.
This study addresses how behaviors that promote autonomy with peers and parents relate to later romantic functioning.
All regression analyses were conducted in SAS using a Full Information Maximum Likelihood approach for handling missing data and controlled for gender and income. Significant standardized beta coefficients are provided in Figure 1.
Positive autonomy within close friendships at age 13 was associated with delayed age of first sexual experience and fewer sexual partners and relationships by age 17.
Positive autonomy within mother-teen relationships at age 13 was related to greater healthy conflict management with romantic partners at age 17.
Positive autonomy within father-teen relationships at age 13 was related to greater healthy conflict management techniques and less relational aggression and avoidant attachment with romantic partners at age 17.
Age 13
-.34***
Age 17
Relationship Satisfaction
0.27**
.25*
Positive Conflict Management
.29**
-0.24**
Intimate Competence
Conclusions
0.22**
The results suggest that teens’ relationships with parents and peers may influence their romantic trajectories in unique ways.
Specifically, results indicate that peers play a role in the timing and number of relationships and sexual partners but parents play a greater role in the quality of these relationships.
Greater autonomy with peers delays the transition into sexual and romantic relationships, which is associated with less risky behaviors (Coker et al., 1994).
Greater autonomy within both mother-child and father-child relationships at age 13 was related to better conflict management techniques in romantic relationships.
Results partially support the cascade effect in that autonomous relationships with parents may teach teens skills that are particularly helpful in managing disagreements in healthy ways with romantic partners.
Taken together, this suggests that the developmental significance of autonomy for later romantic experiences can differ by type of early relationship – parents versus peers.
Future Directions
More research is needed on the specific mechanisms influencing the link between behaviors promoting autonomy with peers and parents to successful intimate relationships.
What other positive qualities within teens’ close relationships predict healthy romantic quality outcomes?
Why does autonomy with parents and peers influence different romantic outcomes?
Method
Rejection Sensitivity
Participants
184 participants at age 13 & their mother, father, and close friend.
At age 17, participants completed follow-up assessments about their current romantic relationship and sexual history.
The sample was 58% European-American, 29% African-American, and 14% mixed race or other race/ethnicities.
Baseline median family income: $40,000 to $59,000
Procedure
Observed Autonomy Task (Age 13) – Participants and their mother, father, and friend each participated in a 6-minute videotaped observed differences task in pairs.
Questionnaires (Age 17) – Participants completed questionnaires about their sexual history and current romantic relationship including:
Conflict in Relationships (CIR; Cronbach’s α = .91)
Romantic Relational Aggression and Victimization (RRAV; Cronbach’s α = .73)
Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR; Cronbach’s α = .82)
Note. Coefficients are standardized betas. Gender and income were controlled for.
*p < .05, **p<.01, ***p<.001
Measures
Dyads participated in an observed differences task which was videotaped and later coded using The Autonomy and Relatedness Coding System for behaviors that promote autonomy. Observed positive interactions include responding confidently, rationally, and clearly.
At age 17, participants reported on their sexual history including the age of first sexual experience (M=15.04; SD=1.57), and number of relationships (M=5.50; SD=5.50) and sexual partners (M=4.21; SD=4.92).
Avoidant Attachment was assessed using the 18-item subscale of the ECR (Brennan et al., 1998) including both avoidant behaviors and thoughts. Positive Romantic Conflict Management was assessed using the 16-item positivity subscale of the CIR (Wolfe et al., 1994) which includes healthy conflict management techniques on behalf of the participant and his/her partner. The 5-item relational aggression subscale of the RRAV (Morales & Crick, 1998) was used to assess Romantic Aggression. Higher scores on each reflect greater levels of the measured construct.
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