Effects of Family Relationships and Parental Support on Young Adult Psychological Well-Being

• In Event: Poster Session 07
  In Poster Session: PS 07 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Although the importance of parent-child relationships for adolescent psychological well-being (PWB) is well established, less is known about the impact of these relationships as youth move into adulthood. Early adulthood is characterized by changes in roles and responsibilities, which may be stressful. Supportive relationships with parents could help young adults manage these changes, thereby limiting their exposure to stress. Furthermore, supportive relationships could buffer the detrimental effects of stress by providing emotional or material resources (Cohen & Wills, 1985). Previous research indicates that parental support is beneficial during the transition to adulthood (e.g., Guan & Fuligni, 2016), but evidence for a buffering effect is sparse. This study examined two ways that supportive parent-youth relationships might facilitate young adult PWB. First, supportive family relationships in adolescence could predict better PWB in early adulthood by limiting the amount of stress young adults experience (mediation hypothesis), and (2) supportive parent-youth relationships in early adulthood could buffer the effects of stress on young adult PWB (moderation hypothesis).

Participants were 621 young adults participating in a longitudinal study of rural youth (55.5% women; Mage = 23.29 years in young adulthood; SD = 1.15). In grade 12, youth completed a scale measuring the overall quality of their family relationships. In early adulthood, youth completed scales measuring their closeness to each parent, the amount of emotional and instrumental support they received from each parent, difficulties they experienced concerning their romantic relationships and employment/income (i.e., relationship stress and occupational stress), and their levels of self-esteem, depression, and life satisfaction. A factor score combining self-esteem, depression, and life satisfaction was used to represent overall PWB.

The mediation and moderation hypotheses were examined in separate regression models. Each model included one measure of parental support (family relationship quality, mother support, or father support) both measures of stress, and the factor score representing PWB. Youth age, gender, and parent education were controlled. Results for mediation indicated that family relationship quality in grade 12 predicted better young adult PWB directly, as well as indirectly through lower levels of young adult occupational and relationship stress (Figure 1). Results for moderation revealed that although closeness to each parent in early adulthood predicted better PWB, there was no evidence of a stress buffering effect. However, instrumental support from mothers and fathers each buffered the effects of relationship stress on PWB (Figure 2). Specifically, when instrumental support from mothers (or fathers) was low, relationship stress was associated with lower PWB, but when instrumental support was high, this association was not significant.

Apparently, parent-youth relationships may influence young adult PWB in two important ways: by reducing levels of occupational and romantic relationship stress and by buffering the harmful effects of relationship stress on PWB. Supportive parents may minimize stress during the transition to adulthood by providing encouragement, advice, and resources for navigating new roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, during early adulthood parents may mitigate the effects of stress by providing instrumental support when needed. Discussion will focus on the implications of these findings for future research and practice.

Authors

• Lisa J Crockett, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  Presenting Author

• Chelsie D. Temmen, University of Louisville
  Non-Presenting Author

• Meredith Cartwright, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Non-Presenting Author