This competing continuation application examines a developmental model of adolescents'peer and family experiences as predictors of long-term psychosocial outcomes in adulthood. We propose to follow a diverse community sample of 172 adolescents, their parents, peers, and romantic partners from ages 13 to 27. We focus upon two stage-salient tasks of adolescence establishing autonomy and maintaining and building social bonds and hypothesize that the resolution of these tasks will be fundamental to understanding qualities of adult psychosocial functioning. We also assess important cognitive, affective, and contextual factors that may mediate continuities and discontinuities from adolescent to adult relationship quality and that may potentially serve as targets for intervention efforts. We organize our efforts into three primary Aims:
Aim 1 : Parent and Peer Predictors of Adult Relationship Quality: We begin by seeking to identify critical continuities in adolescent relationship qualities that persist into early adulthood. We focus upon predictors of aspects of adult relationships particularly social isolation and hostility known to be closely linked to both mental and physical health.
Aim 2 : Mediators &Moderators of Continuities and Discontinuities from Adolescence to Adulthood: We next examine several processes that potentially mediate the continuities or account for the discontinuities identified in Aim 1. We focus on three specific factors: the individual's attachment organization, rejection sensitivity, and major developmental/contextual transitions.
Aim 3 : Early Adult Adaptational Outcomes: Direct &Mediated Pathways from Adolescence: Finally, we consider adolescent-era predictors of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adulthood and of the development of functional autonomy the capacity to manage one's own career, financial, and residential needs. We assess both direct predictions from adolescent relationship qualities across this fifteen-year span, as well as predictions mediated via adult relationship qualities (Aim 1) and intervening factors (Aim 2). This study builds on the vast body of research that has examined relational predictors of functioning within adolescence but now seeks to extend and ground this research by determining which of the many qualities of social relationships that have been identified as important within adolescence are actually predictive of long-term, life outcomes in adulthood. As such, it seeks to inform: a) parents, educators, and clinicians working with adolescents and early adults;b) interventions targeting parenting behaviors and/or peer influences (e.g., delinquency, aggression, and substance abuse prevention and treatment programs);and c) developing theories of the links between social relationships and functional outcomes across this critical portion of the lifespan.

Public Health Relevance

This study seeks to identify essential qualities of adolescents'relationships with peers and parents that predict long-term success or failure in adult psychological functioning. It is designed to provide knowledge that will ultimately reduce the incidence of both externalizing symptoms (e.g., delinquency, aggression, substance abuse) and internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, social isolation) in late adolescence and early adulthood by informing: a) parents, educators, and clinicians working with adolescents and early adults;b) interventions targeting parenting behaviors and/or peer influences (e.g., delinquency, aggression, and substance abuse prevention and treatment programs);and c) developing theories of the links between social relationships and functional outcomes across this critical portion of the lifespan.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD058305-13
Application #
7840469
Study Section
Psychosocial Development, Risk and Prevention Study Section (PDRP)
Program Officer
Esposito, Layla E
Project Start
2008-07-10
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2010-06-01
Budget End
2011-05-31
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$550,068
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
065391526
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
Allen, Joseph P; Grande, Leah; Tan, Joseph et al. (2018) Parent and Peer Predictors of Change in Attachment Security From Adolescence to Adulthood. Child Dev 89:1120-1132
Boker, Steven M; Martin, Mike (2018) A Conversation between Theory, Methods, and Data. Multivariate Behav Res :1-14
Loeb, Emily L; Tan, Joseph S; Hessel, Elenda T et al. (2018) Getting What You Expect: Negative Social Expectations in Early Adolescence Predict Hostile Romantic Partnerships and Friendships Into Adulthood. J Early Adolesc 38:475-496
Kansky, Jessica; Allen, Joseph P (2018) Long-Term Risks and Possible Benefits Associated with Late Adolescent Romantic Relationship Quality. J Youth Adolesc 47:1531-1544
Kansky, Jessica; Allen, Joseph P (2018) Making Sense and Moving On: The Potential for Individual and Interpersonal Growth Following Emerging Adult Breakups. Emerg Adulthood 6:172-190
Allen, Joseph P; Loeb, Emily L; Tan, Joseph S et al. (2018) The body remembers: Adolescent conflict struggles predict adult interleukin-6 levels. Dev Psychopathol 30:1435-1445
Brown, Casey L; Beckes, Lane; Allen, Joseph P et al. (2017) Subjective General Health and the Social Regulation of Hypothalamic Activity. Psychosom Med 79:670-673
Szwedo, David E; Hessel, Elenda T; Loeb, Emily L et al. (2017) Adolescent support seeking as a path to adult functional independence. Dev Psychol 53:949-961
Pace, Emma J; Somerville, Nicholas J; Enyioha, Chineme et al. (2017) Effects of a Brief Psychosocial Intervention on Inpatient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Fam Med 49:675-678
Gregory, A; Ruzek, E; Hafen, C A et al. (2017) My Teaching Partner-Secondary: A video-based coaching model. Theory Pract 56:38-45

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