Romantic Partners, Best Friends, Mothers and Fathers: Links between Adolescent Social Worlds.

N

57

Adolescent Attitudes; Adolescent Behavior; Adolescents; Attachment Behavior; Compensation (Concept); Friendship; Parent Child Relationship; Peer Relationship; Separation Anxiety; Sex Differences; Sexuality

This study examined associations between the quality of adolescent relationships with mothers, fathers, best friends, and boy/girlfriends. One hundred and sixty-two adolescents from three high schools completed questionnaires, in a one-on-one setting in which they rated parent and peer relationships on seven relationship features including commitment, satisfaction, respect, secure base effect, separation protest, proximity seeking, and companionship. Among dating adolescents, an additional scale indexed sexual activity and risky sexual behavior. Findings revealed a consistent negative association between girls' relationships with parents and peers. In contrast, boys' reported continuity between parents and best friends and a lack of association between parents and romantic partners. Among both boys and girls, parental closeness, especially to fathers, was negatively associated with sexual activity. Findings suggest that peers may compensate for weak filial ties and that parental relationships may serve as a protective factor against over-commitment to peers and risky sexual behavior. (Contains 54 references.) (Author/KB)

2002

ED465445