I found a really interesting study conducted by the University of Central Florida and found it helpful to me when considering the transition to adulthood for both the parents of the rising adult and the adult experience the transition.
THE STUDY:
The study was conducted by Kimberly Renk, PhD, Jenny Klein and Angela Rojas-Vilches. The responses of college student participants who were in the process of transitioning through emerging adulthood were examined so that the relationships among the characteristics of their families, their relationships with their parents, the perceptions that they hold currently about their parents, and their current functioning could be described. Results of this study suggested that particular characteristics of
families are related highly to characteristics of the parent-adult child relationship during emerging adulthood. Further, the findings of this study suggested that different outcomes for adult children during emerging adulthood were predicted by characteristics of the parent-adult child relationship.
Parenting Styles:
Authoritarian- low on emotional warmth and nurturing but high on parental direction and control
Authoritative- warm, firm, and fiar, combines emotional nurturing and support with conscientious parental direction without excessive control
Permissive- gives little parental guidance
WHAT WE LEARNED:
The study is very elaborate and detailed but I boiled it down to a few specific findings that can be helpful when examining a transition to adulthood and how those new adults form relationships with their parents. The first finding was that attachment predicted positively and authoritativeness predicted negatively levels of regard for mothers, whereas emotional involvement and authoritativeness
predicted negatively levels of regard for fathers. (Renk, 97) We learn that attachment between parents and their children was predictive of characteristics of the mother-adult child relationship. The attachment between children and their fathers did not show any predictive characteristics as did the mother. High levels of authoritative styles of parenting as well as comfort and nurturing led to better relationships between the transitioning adult and the parent.
Taking a broader look at this study and what it can tell us about young adults transitioning is that characteristics of our family as youth and adolescents has a direct impact on how our relationships with our parents will be. The findings of the study can help parents of adolescents that are soon to be transitioning into adulthood to see the importance of the way they parent their children and the characteristics that they display in the family. The study had a positive correlation to each way a family's characteristics were displayed. I am a 25 year old male that has been through most of the transition to adulthood if not all. As one who has experienced it I can speak for all in this phase when I say that our relationship with our parents is paramount as we go through such a difficult time. We depend on their experience and love. Between this study and my own experience I can positively say that characteristics in a family that incorporate openness and an authoritative parenting style are the best way to create a healthy relationship for transitioning adults and their parents. Parents, it's on you to create that environment!
Reference: http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J194v03n02_06
Kimberly Renk PhD , Jenny Klein & Angela Rojas-Vilches (2005): Predictors of the
Characteristics of Parent-Adult Child Relationships and Adult Child Functioning in a College Student
Sample, Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 3:2, 81-100
The parenting styles of a parent effect children in so many aspects of their lives. This is a critical point, especially in our culture where independence is often expected as a child becomes an adult. The reassurance that can come through parenting styles may be an invaluable gift from parent to child at this stage of life.
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