Patterns of Interaction in Family Relationships and the Development of Identity Exploration in Adolescence

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a model of individuation in family relationships that focuses on communication processes, and to assess the links between them and adolescent identity exploration. Expressions of the 4 dimensions of the model--self-assertion, separateness, permeability, and mutuality--were predicted to be positively associated with identity exploration in adolescents. A sample of 84 Caucasian, middle-class, 2-parent families, each including an adolescent and 1 or 2 siblings, was observed in a Family Interaction Task designed to elicit the expression and coordination of a variety of points of view. Multiple regression analyses revealed differentiated results concerning father-son, father-daughter, mother-son, mother-daughter, and marital relationships as well as both positive and negative contributions of communication variables to identity exploration when verbal ability and sociability were controlled. Results are discussed in terms of recent formulations of the progressive redefinition of the parent-child relationship during adolescence.

Adoption status and family relationships during the transition to young adulthood.

“…Individuation theory (Grotevant & Cooper, 1985; Youniss & Smollar, 1985) may play a particularly salient role in our results. While adoptive family dyads reported lower relationship indicators compared to nonadoptive family dyads, similar trends over time occurred for both family types.…”

“…Family relationship studies during adolescence revealed mothers and adolescents reported a strong continuity of parent-child relationship quality across time, as well as the importance of family relationship quality during the transition from adolescence into young adulthood (Aquilino, 1997; Collins & Laursen, 2004; Thornton, Orbuch, & Axinn, 1995). Despite research on adolescents’ need for separation and individuation (Grotevant & Cooper, 1985; Smollar & Youniss, 1989), positive family relationships have been shown to continue throughout the transition into young adulthood and to influence adolescent well-being (van Wel, Ter Bogt, & Raaijmakers, 2002). Evidence of the continued influence of family relationships throughout the life span is illustrated by an adult child’s response to the death of parent.…”

Development and validation of the Peer Interaction Macro-Coding System Scales (PIMS): A new tool for observational measurement of social competence in youth with spina bifida.

“…Tasks were selected to fulfill the larger longitudinal study’s goals of studying independence and the development of autonomy, both of which are key aspects of psychosocial development in this population. As such, tasks emphasized social engagement, collaborative problem solving, and assertiveness by eliciting opinions and ideas from both members of the dyad and allowing for displays of individuality and connectedness (Grotevant & Cooper, 1985). In addition, the larger study included family interaction tasks similar to the peer interaction tasks (Kaugars et al, 2011).…”

Diabetes management and glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes: test of a predictive model

“…The AIRS is a macro-analytic coding system that evaluates parent–child verbal and nonverbal communication concerning youth behavioral autonomy and parental support of autonomy in parent-adolescent relationships. Based on research with adolescents with diabetes (Hauser et al, 1986, 1987), dimensions on the AIRS reflect patterns of communication in parent–child transactions that reflect a balanced capacity for adolescent autonomy (Grotevant & Cooper, 1985), which has been shown to correlate with self-management among adolescents with diabetes (Anderson et al, 1997). …”