Adolescent experiences: parent child relationships

Adolescent experiences: parent child relationships

1. AO1

   • Parent child relationships also effect adult relationships. ALLEN AND LAND suggest adolescent relationships based on internal working model of relationships plus experiences in their own romantic relationships
     • Formal operational thinking allows adolescents to view their attachment relationships more objectively & allows them to compare their relationships w/ their parents to hypothetical ideals

2. AO2

   • As teenager, want to break free from parents. Research shown autonomy is most healthy when associated with continuing warm and close relationships with parents: connectedness Coleman and Hendry 1999
   • Larson supported as they found that although the time spent with parents decreased in adolescence the time spent with each parent was fairly consistent
     • Suggests that adolescent relationships supplement rather than replace parent-child relationships

3. Adolescent experiences: Interaction with peers

   • AO1
     • In adolescence attachment can shift from parent to peers. Romantic relationships help achieve separation from parents & allows them to experience emotional and physical control
     • MADSEN found, when testing effects of dating behaviour in adolescence on the quality of young adult relationships, that moderate/ low dating in adolescence predicts higher quality young adult relationships whereas high dating in adolescence predicts low quality young adult relationships.
       • Suggests some dating in adolescence is advantageous for adult relationship quality but too much can be maladaptive
   • AO2
     • HAYNIE found romantic involvement increased some forms of deviance in adolescence. Found that having young relationships can increase chances of antisocial behaviour, especially when young females date older men
     • NEEMANN found romantic involvement was associated w/ decrease in academic achievement & increase in conduct problem, criticising idea that dating in adolescence is advantageous
     • However, association disappeared in late adolescence
     • Roisman contradicts Madsen as they found no effect of romantic relationships at age 20 on romantic relationships at age 30
       • Findings suggest there is no consistent evidence to suggest adolescent relationships are 'building blocks' of romantic relationships

4. AO2

   • Restricted samples:
     • Small, highly selective samples of adolescence from one school/ college
     • Usually done in US
     • Don't adequately represent experiences of adolescents in other cultures/areas
     • If social factors determine adolescent experiences it's difficult to generalise findings from one culture to another