Across the Transition to Adolescence

Abstract

Numerous researchers have identified qualitatively different types of parent/adolescent relationships, with most relying on theoretical conceptions to derive their typologies. This study employed an inductive, statistical analytic technique (i.e., confirmatory cluster analysis) to identify qualitative differences in parent/adolescent relationships based on short-term, longitudinal data. To validate the various relationship profiles, links were examined between relationship types and adolescents' adjustment. Participants included 133 early adolescents (X = 12.5 years of age at Time 1) who were interviewed in their homes on two occasions one year apart. Although most adolescents reported having "individuated" relationships with parents, "connected" and "detached" relationships also were evident. Relationship types, which were stable over a one-year period, were associated with significant differences in adolescents `well-being. Specifically, adolescents in detached relationships reported greater anxiety, more depressive symptomatology, and lower self-worth than those in either individuated or more especially, those in connected relationships with parents.