Biological, Familial, and Peer Influences on Dating in Early Adolescence

Abstract

The current study examined the joint contributions of pubertal maturation, parental monitoring, involvement in older peer groups, peer dating, and peer delinquency on dating in a sample of early adolescent boys and girls. The sample consisted of 784 adolescents (394 boys, 390 girls) enrolled in grades 5, 6, and 7 who were followed for one year. In addition to measures of pubertal maturation and parental monitoring, adolescents and their peer group members completed indices of dating and delinquency. Average dating and delinquency scores for each participant's peer group network were computed. Results indicated that it was the combination of pubertal maturation, peer delinquency, and peer dating that explained increases in early dating. For boys only, parental monitoring was a significant predictor. The more knowledgeable parents were about their boys' activities, the lower the number of dating activities reported. These results highlight the importance of considering the joint effects of these biological and social predictors in understanding early dating. When rapid changes occur in all three domains, early dating is most likely to ensue. The findings of this study have practical importance. Parents and professionals who work closely with youth should attend to the special vulnerability of early maturing adolescents in the face of peer pressure and to the important role of parental monitoring in regulating dating activities.

Social Skills, Social Support and Well-Being in Adolescents of Different Family Configurations

“…Thus, researchers have found that adolescents from families who have experienced marital separation and/or parental remarriage tend to experience less closeness and family support as a result of decreased parental monitoring (typically from the spouse with custody), increased conflict between parents and other related problems. Consequently, as a result of increased instability in the family environment (Cavanagh, Crissey, & Raley, 2008;Ivanova, Mills, & Veenstra, 2011) and less parental supervision (Friedlander, Connolly, Pepler, & Craig, 2007), the children may more easily and sooner engage in romantic and sexual relationships (Cavanagh et al, 2008) and manifest internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems (Hetherington, 2003;Vanassche, Sodermans, Matthijs, & Swicegood, 2014). In addition, the romantic relationships of adolescents may be a way to escape the unstable family environment and provide comfort and warmth (Cavanagh et al, 2008;Ivanova et al, 2011).…”

Other-Sex Friendships as a Mediator Between Parental Monitoring and Substance Use in Girls and Boys

“…Indeed, research showed that, for adolescent girls, other-sex friendships are associated with problem behavior whereas it 22 is not the case for boys (e.g., Arndorfer & Stormshak, 2008;Mrug et al, 2011). Moreover, parents seem to monitor the activities of their daughters more closely than those of their sons (e.g., Crouter et al, 2005;Friedlander et al, 2007) and may pay more attention to the gender of their daughters' peers.…”

“…Indeed, levels of monitoring knowledge are greater for female than for male children (Crouter et al, 2005;Friedlander et al, 2007;Pettit et al, 2001;Smetana & Daddis, 2002;Svensson, 2003;Waizenhofer et al, 2004). Regarding friends, researchers usually focus on their behavioral orientation (e.g., whether they engage in delinquency or substance use), but have never specifically considered their gender.…”

Adolescent Daughters’ Romantic Competence: The Role of Divorce, Quality of Parenting, and Maternal Romantic History

“…Following divorce, parents have less energy and less power to monitor their child's behavior, and this can be linked to an increased likelihood of dating (Friedlander et al 2007). On the other hand, continuous maternal sensitivity to their needs (Roisman et al 2009) can protect adolescents from risky romantic behavior and promote age-appropriate romantic relationships.…”