The Past Is Present: Representations of Parents, Friends, and Romantic Partners Predict Subsequent Romantic Representations
Publication Date
12-28-2016
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Psychology
Keywords
Parent–child relationships, Friendships, Romantic relationships, Representations
Abstract
This study examined how representations of parent–child relationships, friendships, and past romantic relationships are related to subsequent romantic representations. Two‐hundred 10th graders (100 female; Mage = 15.87 years) from diverse neighborhoods in a Western U.S. city were administered questionnaires and were interviewed to assess avoidant and anxious representations of their relationships with parents, friends, and romantic partners. Participants then completed similar questionnaires and interviews about their romantic representations six more times over the next 7.5 years. Growth curve analyses revealed that representations of relationships with parents, friends, and romantic partners each uniquely predicted subsequent romantic representations across development. Consistent with attachment and behavioral systems theory, representations of romantic relationships are revised by representations and experiences in other relationships.
Publication Statement
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Recommended Citation
Furman, W., & Collibee, C. (2018). The Past Is Present: Representations of Parents, Friends, and Romantic Partners Predict Subsequent Romantic Representations. Child Development, 89(1), 188-204. DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12712.