Adolescents’ Working Models and Styles for Relationships with Parents, Friends, and Romantic Partners

Abstract

This study examined the links among adolescents' representations of their relationships with parents, friends, and romantic partners. Sixty-eight adolescents were interviewed three times to assess their working models for each of these types of relationships. Working models of friendships were related to working models of relationships with parents and romantic partners. Working models of relationships with parents and romantic partners were inconsistently related. A similar pattern of results was obtained for self-report measures of relational styles for the three types of relationships. Perceived experiences were also related. Specifically, support in relationships with parents tended to be related to support in romantic relationships and friendships, but the latter two were unrelated. On the other hand, self and other controlling behaviors in friendships were related to corresponding behaviors in romantic relationships. Negative interactions in the three types of relationships also tended to be related. Taken together, the findings indicate that the representations of the three types of relationships are distinct, yet related. Discussion focuses on the nature of the links among the three.

Personality and social network effects on romantic relationships: a dyadic approach

“…It is therefore possible that young adult partners are matched for their friendship networks; that is, friendship relationships not only provide the opportunity to introduce potential partners, but also may serve as role models for romantic relationships. Consistent with this speculation are findings by Furman, Simon, Shaffer, and Bouchey (2002), who found in a study with adolescents aged from 16 to 19 years that attachment working models of partner and friendship relationships were more consistent than the attachment working models of partner and parent relationships. The second conclusion pertains to the mix of consistency and complementary effects: because of the proximity between friendship and romantic relationships, it could be argued that in some instances friendships serve as models of romantic relationships leading to consistency effects, whereas in other instances friendships may serve as counter-models, thus leading to compensatory, or complementary effects.…”

Attachment and Autonomy During Adolescence

“…Secure working models are expected to provide positive expectations of relations with others, and also are predicted to guide affect and behavior within those relationships (Bowlby, 1969 ;Furman, 2001 ;Furman, Simon, Shaffer, & Bouchey, 2002 ). This may be particularly true during adolescence, when intimacy demands in relationships with peers increase; security of attachment is expected to be associated with abilities necessary to manage such intimacy successfully, such as the ability to seek and give care, to feel comfortable with an autonomous self and peer, and to negotiate disagreements (Belsky & Cassidy, 1994 ;Cassidy et al, 1996 ;Cassidy, 2001 ;Scharf, 2001 ).…”

“…Similarly, when asked to work on a frustrating joint problem -solving task; secure teens engage in fewer disruptive behaviors such as ignoring their friends or rejecting their suggestions without discussion (Zimmerman et al). Security of attachment with regard to parental relationships is also associated with having secure working models of friendships, as well as a greater capacity for both closeness and separateness in relationships with friends (Furman et al, 2002 ;Markiewicz et al, 2001 ;Mayseless & Scharf, 2007 ;Scharf, Mayseless, & Kivenson -Baron, 2004 ). Secure teens are also better able to rely on peers to fulfill attachment functions, including wanting to be near their friends (proximity seeking) and being able to turn to them for comfort and support (safe haven) (Fraley & Davis, 1997 ;Mayseless, 2004 ).…”

Identity Development and Exploration Among Sexual Minority Adolescents: Examination of a Multidimensional Model

“…Adolescents' exploration and experiences in peer relationships help build interaction skills and provide the opportunity for romantic connections to develop (Furman, Simon, Shaffer, & Bouchey, 2002). The assumption of heterosexuality influences adolescents' relationship development because a majority of heterosexual peer groups discourage and disapprove of homosexual relationships (Connolly, Furman, & Konarski, 2000).…”