Triangulation and Parent–Adolescent Relationships: Implications for Adolescent Dating Competence and Abuse

Authors

Gregory M. Fosco, Marquette UniversityFollow
Mengya Xia, The Pennsylvania State University
Mark G. Lynn, Northwestern UniversityFollow
John H. Grych, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

14 p.

Publication Date

9-2016

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Journal of Research on Adolescence

Source ISSN

1050-8392

Abstract

This study focuses on family predictors of conflict behavior in adolescent dating relationships, drawing on family systems and socialization perspectives. Mother–adolescent, father–adolescent, and triadic relationships each was examined as predictors of adolescent dating outcomes that hold importance for developmental and prevention science (positive conflict resolution, verbal abuse, and physical abuse). We conducted a longitudinal analysis using a 6-month longitudinal design with 236 ethnically diverse high school students. Findings indicate that triangulation into parental conflicts was related to increases in positive conflict resolution and with increases in verbally abusive behavior with dating partners over time. Parent–adolescent closeness and conflict each was related to positive conflict resolution and verbal abuse, but these associations were only found for boys.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Research on Adolescence, Vol. 26, No. 3 (September 2016): 524-537. DOI. © 2016 Wiley. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Fosco, Gregory M.; Xia, Mengya; Lynn, Mark G.; and Grych, John H., "Triangulation and Parent–Adolescent Relationships: Implications for Adolescent Dating Competence and Abuse" (2016). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 256.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/256