1. Introduction Results Conclusions Hypotheses Method
Autonomy in Adolescent Romantic Relationships Predicts Adult Romantic Qualities Jessica Kansky, Joseph Tan, Emily Loeb & 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: Adolescent and Romantic Partner Behaviors Promoting Autonomy Predicting Relative Change in Adult Romantic Relationship Qualities
Introduction
Results
By the end of adolescence, the majority of teens are experimenting with dating and romantic relationships (Carver et al., 2003).
Prior research largely points to the negative correlates of teen dating such as mental distress, delinquency, abuse, teen pregnancy, and poor academic functioning (Furman et al., 2008; Davies et al., 2000).
Yet, forming healthy intimate relationships is a critical developmental task during the transition to adulthood (Schulenberg et al., 2004).
Scarce literature indicates that early positive dating experiences as a teen are linked to more commitment and greater likelihood to marry and cohabitate in early adulthood (Raley et al., 2007; Seiffge-Krenke, 2003).
While autonomy is a critical quality of healthy parent and peer relationships, less attention has considered how autonomy in romantic relationships influences development.
This study seeks to assess the extent to which autonomy within adolescent romantic relationships predicts changes in important qualities within emerging adult romantic relationships.
Dyadic behaviors that promote autonomy in adolescent romantic relationships will predict relatively healthy attachment, satisfaction, and romantic qualities in later relationships.
Dyadic behaviors that undermine autonomy will predict relatively poorer outcomes in these key qualities of adult romantic relationships.
All regression analyses were conducted in SAS using a Full Information Maximum Likelihood approach for handling missing data and controlled for gender, income, and baseline levels of the romantic quality being assessed. Significant standardized beta coefficients are provided in Figure 1.
Teen behaviors promoting autonomy at age 17 predicted relative decreases in avoidant attachment and relative increases in healthy conflict management, support, and relationship satisfaction by age 27.
Partner behaviors promoting autonomy at age 17 predicted relative decreases in avoidant attachment and jealousy and relative increases in satisfaction by age 27.
Teen and partner behaviors undermining autonomy at age 17 did not predict any relative changes in relationship qualities by age 27
Age 27
-.34***
Age 17
Age 17
Relationship Satisfaction
Promoting Autonomy
0.27**
.25*
Positive Conflict Management
Undermining Autonomy
.29**
-0.24**
Intimate Competence
Conclusions
0.22**
The results suggest that positive interactions in early romantic relationships are associated with increases in healthy and adaptive romantic qualities in adulthood.
Positive dating experiences provide an important foundation for teens to begin learning skills that will continue benefiting their romantic lives into adulthood.
Specifically, results suggest the ability to successfully explain your opinion and have a partner who does the same is beneficial for long-term romantic trajectories.
Importantly, it is not only the teens’ healthy behaviors, but also their partners’ behaviors that predict relative change in romantic qualities over time.
Observed negative interactions among young couples were less strongly associated with changes in adulthood romantic qualities.
Interestingly, results do not support prolonged difficulties due to negative interactions in early relationships.
Future Directions
How does autonomy in early romantic relationships form and what causes changes in autonomy over time?
What are the mechanisms behind the link between early autonomy and romantic benefits in young adulthood?
Why do teen and partner autonomy predict different qualities?
More support is needed to supplement the preliminary findings of the importance of positive and healthy early relationships on romantic trajectories.
Hypotheses
Rejection Sensitivity
Note. Coefficients are standardized betas. Gender and income were controlled for. *p < .05, **p<.01, ***p<.001
Note. Coefficients are standardized betas. Gender, income and baseline romantic qualities were controlled for.
*p < .05, **p<.01, ***p<.001
Measures
Couples participated in a conflict task which was videotaped and later coded using The Autonomy and Relatedness Coding System for behaviors that promote and undermine autonomy within the adolescent dyad. Autonomy promoting behaviors include responding confidently, rationally, and clearly. Autonomy undermining behaviors include pressuring the other to agree, avoiding, placating, and using blame or guilt. Each participant and his/her partner received their own score based on the average of two raters.
Avoidant Attachment was assessed using the 18-item subscale of the ECR (Brennan et al., 1998) which includes both behaviors and thoughts.
Positive Conflict Management was assessed using the 8-item subscale of the CIR (Wolfe et al., 1994).
Support was assessed using the 3-item subscale of the NRI (Furman, 1985).
Relationship Satisfaction was assessed using a 5-item questionnaire on current romantic stress and satisfaction.
Jealousy was measured using the 24-item MJS (Pfeiffer & Wong, 1989).
Higher scores on each measure reflect greater levels of the proposed construct.
Method
Participants
70 participants & their romantic partners were assessed at age 17.
At age 27, participants completed follow-up assessments about their current romantic relationship.
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 17) – Participants and their romantic partners participated in a 8-minute videotaped observed differences task.
Questionnaires (Ages 17 & 27) – Participants completed questionnaires about their current romantic relationship including the:
Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR; Cronbach’s α = .96)
Conflict in Relationships (CIR; Cronbach’s α = .91)
Network of Relationships Inventory (NRI; Cronbach’s α = .93)
Romantic Life Satisfaction (RLS; Cronbach’s α = .75)
Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (MJS; Cronbach’s α = .82)
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