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Relations between young adults and their parents.
1Department of Psychology Severance Lab, Oberlin College, Ohio 44074.
Journal of Adolescence
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Young adults report closer relationships with mothers than fathers, experiencing more positive emotions and treatment. This connection influences their intentions for future child-rearing models.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Parent-child relationships are crucial for adolescent development.
- Understanding gender differences in these relationships is important.
- Previous research suggests positive parent-child dynamics foster well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare young adults' relationships with mothers and fathers.
- To examine the impact of relationship dynamics on future parenting intentions.
- To investigate the role of positive and negative treatment in relationship closeness.
Main Methods:
- Survey of undergraduate students.
- Quantitative analysis of relationship perceptions, emotional experiences, and parenting role modeling intentions.
- Correlational analysis to assess relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Young adults spend more time with mothers than fathers.
- Participants report more positive treatment, emotion, and closeness with mothers.
- Positive relationship dynamics with mothers are linked to greater certainty in using them as child-rearing models.
Conclusions:
- Closer connections with mothers stem from more positive dynamics, not negative dynamics with fathers.
- Positive parent-child relationships facilitate individuation and well-being.
- Findings support the importance of close, positive parental relationships for adolescent development.