Enacting Distance in Family Relationships as a Strategy to Maintain Relationships Between Young Adults and Parents

• In Event: Young Adults' Relationships with Family

Abstract

The college years are a time of great life changes for young adults. A parent might provide a sense of stability for the young adult during interactions or an interaction with a parent might be more troubling. This study examined the frequency and reasoning for young adults’ distancing behaviors toward parents. Results suggest that young adults’ reasons for enacting distance in their family relationships may depend on family type.

Author

• Angela Niedermyer, University of Texas, Austin