Showing papers in "Marriage and Family Review in 2015"
TL;DR: A state of the art approach in identifying factor structure by adding parallel analysis before exploratory factor analysis is illustrated by using items from the National Survey of Families and Households used to identify relationship scales.
Abstract: Common methods used in the literature to identify factors within exploratory factor analysis has been shown to be potentially problematic. This brief report illustrates a state of the art approach in identifying factor structure by adding parallel analysis prior to exploratory factor analysis. Parallel analysis enables researchers to have a high degree of confidence of the number of factors to extract prior to exploratory factor analysis. The procedure is illustrated by using items from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) that were used to identify relationship scales.
76 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a systematic review synthesized recent research examining predictors/correlates of stepparent-child relationship quality from the viewpoint of stepchildren in the United States.
Abstract: Stepfamily scholars have emphasized the importance of including stepchildren in the analysis and discussion of stepfamily life. This systematic review synthesized recent research examining predictors/correlates of stepparent–child relationship quality from the viewpoint of stepchildren in the United States. Five bibliographic databases were searched, resulting in 631 potentially relevant studies for review. Manual searches of three prominent family studies journals were also conducted. Screening and eligibility assessment based on a priori inclusion criteria yielded a final sample of 23 studies, including published studies and reports found in the “gray” literature. Significant predictors/correlates associated with stepchildren's perceptions of stepparent–child relationship quality were grouped into the following conceptual domains: individual characteristics, family characteristics, features of (step)parent–child interactions, and stepcouple dynamics. Limitations, implications, and future research direct...
46 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined the association between consumption of media messages by way of movie viewing and genre preference and endorsement of ideals and expectations concerning romantic relationships and found that more mythic romantic ideals may tend to supersede other relational demands.
Abstract: The current study examines the association between consumption of media messages by way of movie viewing and genre preference and endorsement of ideals and expectations concerning romantic relationships. A survey of young adults found that viewing preference for both romantic comedies and dramas was significantly and positively correlated with idealized notions of faith that love conquers all, greater expectations for intimacy, and endorsement of the eros love style. However, participants who frequently watched romantic movies did not endorse beliefs in sexual perfection, mindreading, or disagreement disallowance. Results suggest that more mythic romantic ideals may tend to supersede other relational demands.
37 citations
TL;DR: Regardless of what science ultimately demonstrates about same-sex family structure, it is important to safeguard the research process from political pressures: either anti-gay marriage or pro-gay rights.
Abstract: Same-sex marriage is one of the great policy issues of our time, and part of this debate hinges on the ability of same-sex couples to parent. Most gay parenting studies conclude that children raised by gay parents perform as well, if not better, than their counterparts in heterosexual families. This conclusion, which may or may not be true, is not scientifically warranted because of various limitations: Some results are misreported; most of the literature is exploratory and made up of small qualitative samples, biased data, and other research design failures; the studies concentrate on lesbian families; and outcome measures have been limited. Although these problems prevent scientific generalizations, social scientists have treated the preliminary, nonconclusive research as authoritative. Quite naturally, those within public policy circles have adopted this unwarranted position. Regardless of what science ultimately demonstrates about same-sex family structure, it is important to safeguard the research pr...
31 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined the relationship between supportive and controlling dimensions of parenting behaviors and Chinese adolescent outcomes (school adjustment and problem behavior) and found that maternal support predicted more adolescent problem behavior, especially for boys.
Abstract: The present research examined the relationship between supportive and controlling dimensions of parenting behaviors and Chinese adolescent outcomes (school adjustment and problem behavior). Researchers collected self-report data from 589 adolescents in Hangzhou, China. Results showed the factor structure for the Parent Behavior Measure in the Chinese sample was different from the factor structure based on Western research. Specifically, paternal support did not emerge as a viable factor. Parental monitoring and involvement predicted positive adolescent outcomes, whereas punitiveness and permissiveness predicted negative outcomes. Surprisingly, maternal support predicted more adolescent problem behavior, especially for boys. Guilt induction, love withdrawal, and positive induction did not predict any significant adolescent outcomes when other parenting behaviors were controlled. School adjustment mediated and gender moderated the relationship between parenting and adolescent problem behavior. The importanc...
26 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used Swedish register data to investigate how age differences in newly married couples were associated with spouses' age, gender, education, income, and birthplace, and found that small age differences were most common among the highly educated, high-income earners, and native Swedes, whereas persons with low education, low income and non-Swedish origin more often entered marriages with large age differences, particularly men-older marriages.
Abstract: Throughout the world, marriages in which the husband is older than his wife are more common than same-age and women-older marriages. Yet there is surprisingly little systematic knowledge about within-country variation in spousal age differences. This study used comprehensive Swedish register data to investigate how age differences in newly married couples were associated with spouses' age, gender, education, income, and birthplace. Among both women and men, small age differences were most common among the highly educated, high-income earners, and native Swedes, whereas persons with low education, low income, and non-Swedish origin more often entered marriages with large age differences, particularly men-older marriages. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical attempts to explain spousal age differences and sociodemographic selection into couples with different age relationships.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the prevalence of relationship difficulties and associations with sociodemographic, military-, and deployment-related characteristics was examined using a subsample of 7,581 participants from a cohort study of U.K. military personnel.
Abstract: Military work, especially operational deployments, may impact the romantic relationships of military personnel. Using a subsample of 7,581 participants from a cohort study of U.K. military personnel (data collected between 2007 and 2009), the prevalence of relationship difficulties and associations with sociodemographic, military-, and deployment-related characteristics was examined. Most participants did not report experiencing relationship difficulties. Adjusted regression analyses indicate that childhood adversity, limited support for and from partners, being in unmarried relationships, financial problems, deploying for more than 13 months in 3 years, and work being above trade, ability, and experience were key factors associated with relationship difficulties. The likelihood of U.K. military personnel experiencing relationship difficulties is increased because of personal vulnerabilities that may be exacerbated in the military context.
25 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored ethnic identity development among young adults from immigrant families from diverse countries of origin, and found that most participants progressed through the model of ethnic identity formation, which was influenced by their family socialization and community context.
Abstract: This article explores ethnic identity development among young adults from immigrant families from diverse countries of origin. Based on in-depth interviews with young women and men, the authors examined the formation of ethnic identity through childhood, adolescence, and into young adulthood. Analysis of the participants’ narratives revealed that, compared with fluent bilinguals, limited bilinguals reported weaker connections to their heritage culture. Most participants progressed through the model of ethnic identity formation, which was influenced by their family socialization and community context, and reported integrated or bicultural ethnic identities. Practitioners may use the experiences shared by our participants to inform their work with second-generation immigrant youth in varying stages of ethnic identity development.
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined risk and protective factors associated with mothers' feelings of parenting stress and reports of harsh parenting practices and found that depressive symptoms and economic hardship were unique predictors of increased parenting stress.
Abstract: In a community sample of Mexican origin mothers with toddlers (n = 58), we examined risk and protective factors associated with mothers’ feelings of parenting stress and reports of harsh parenting practices. We evaluated maternal depressive symptoms, economic hardship, and child negative affect as risk factors and mothers’ global social support and romantic relationship quality as protective factors. Results indicated that depressive symptoms and economic hardship were unique predictors of increased parenting stress, whereas romantic relationship quality was associated with decreased parenting stress. Maternal depressive symptoms and romantic relationship quality were uniquely associated with harsh parenting practices; moreover, these statistical associations were accounted for by mothers’ feelings of parenting stress. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for programs that work with Mexican origin families with young children who are experiencing parenting stress, highlighting the importan...
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide the reader with the current state of knowledge on relationship dynamics among the fastest growing ethnic-minority group in the United States: Mexican American (MA) Hispanics and other Hispanic subgroups.
Abstract: Public policy initiatives have set out to promote healthy relationships among low-income racial and ethnic-minority couples. Interventions used, however, are based on decades of research with primarily White, middle-class, college-educated couples and have yielded disappointing results. The aim of this literature review is to provide the reader with the current state of knowledge on relationship dynamics among the fastest growing ethnic-minority group in the United States: Mexican American (MA) Hispanics and other Hispanic subgroups. Thirty-seven empirical journal articles focusing on the following domains of interest were reviewed: (1) patterns of union formation and dissolution, (2) ideals and views about marriage, (3) relationship satisfaction and quality, (4) communication and conflict, and (5) unique themes. MA couples have higher marital rates, a decreased risk of marital dissolution, and report greater relationship satisfaction than African American couples. First-generation and less acculturated M...
15 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that maternal emotional closeness may serve as a buffer against the negative effects of maternal punitive reactions for women's anger expression in young adulthood.
Abstract: The current study tested whether young adult's recollected reports of their mother's punitive reactions to their negative emotions in childhood predicted anger expression in young adulthood and whether emotional closeness weakens this association. Further, a three-way interaction was tested to examine whether emotional closeness is a stronger protective factor for young women than for young men. Results revealed a significant three-way interaction (gender X emotional closeness X maternal punitive reactions). For young men, maternal punitive reactions to negative emotions were directly associated with increased anger expressions. Maternal punitive reactions to young women's negative emotions in childhood were associated with increased anger in adulthood only when they reported low maternal emotional closeness. Findings suggest that maternal emotional closeness may serve as a buffer against the negative effects of maternal punitive reactions for women's anger expression in young adulthood.
TL;DR: In this article, a family simulation protocol for computerized life-course microsimulation complementing data and theory about boomeranging and family relationships is presented, with one or two parents and up to three children with given genders, races, and initial ages in a social influence network.
Abstract: Boomeranging—adult children returning home—increasingly occurs in Western industrial societies on a cafeteria-like menu of emerging adulthood. We review benefits and problems across family backgrounds and offer a family simulation protocol for computerized life-course microsimulation complementing data and theory about boomeranging and family relationships. A teaching simulation consistent with this protocol has one or two parents and up to three children with given genders, races, and initial ages in a social influence network. It executes on six decision topics over simulated years with choices Stay/Leave-Home, Seek or Stay Married/Not, Seek Employment/Not, Opt for College/Not, Outside Romance/Not, and Resist Home Leaving/Not. Stay/Leave-Home signifies opposite choices on one topic. Employment, medical, education, and marital status events align with macro data and affect simulated decisions.
TL;DR: In this article, an affordance utilization model (AUM) is proposed to understand the role of relationship development in communication technology use, and it is shown that as relationships become more developed, communication technology affordances are less likely to be associated with communication competence and self-disclosure in relationships.
Abstract: This essay proposes an affordance utilization model (AUM) that aims to understand the role of relationship development in communication technology use. The AUM draws from research regarding (1) social penetration theory and (2) the communication technology affordances of asynchronicity (i.e., a time lag between when a message is constructed and received) and reduced cues (i.e., the lack of visual and/or vocal cues). It proposes that these affordances are positively associated with communication competence and self-disclosure but that relationship development affects these associations. The AUM proposes that as relationships become more developed, communication technology affordances are less likely to be associated with communication competence and self-disclosure in relationships. The AUM also proposes that as relationships become more developed, relational partners will see affordances as less important and will use them less. Potential implications of the AUM for research on communication technologies ...
TL;DR: In Nigeria, a woman's adultery is perceived as a heroic feat as mentioned in this paper, translating to a tension on premarital and post-divorce relationships expressed in diverse ways, and it is easily verifiable that births out of marriage are attributable more to the nature of the marriage structure and patriarchy than to juvenile delinquency.
Abstract: Colonial English heritage and its interaction with local customs in West Africa have been the subject of much debate. Its impact runs through the fabric of the life of the nation, from religion to sociological and sociolegal frameworks. The tension engaged is most profound within the framework of marriages and its effect on children's rights. Illegitimacy, for instance, as understood in Common Law is a concept unknown to Nigerian customs. In Nigeria, customary law allows and envisages polygamy, and a man's adultery is perceived as “a heroic feat.” This is not so for a woman, translating to a tension on premarital and postdivorce relationships expressed in diverse ways. It is easily verifiable that in Nigeria, births out of marriage are attributable more to the nature of the marriage structure and patriarchy than to juvenile delinquency. For women, this single motherhood is often a question of self-preservation or survival. Although strengthening welfare systems and according equal rights to children seem ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors tested a mechanism through which music serves as a model of intimate relationship behaviors for those from non-continuously intact family structures and found that music would both mediate and moderate the relationship between family structure and risky sexual behaviors.
Abstract: The current study tested a mechanism through which music serves as a model of intimate relationship behaviors for those from noncontinuously intact family structures. The current study theorized that music would both mediate and moderate the relationship between family structure and risky sexual behaviors. Participants included 357 emerging adults who came from married, divorced, reconstituted, and never-married households. Results of hierarchical regression analyses confirmed that sexual lyrical content serves as a moderator between parental marital status and sexual behaviors of participants from noncontinuously intact homes, supporting the notion that those from noncontinuously intact homes seek models of intimate relationship behaviors outside of their family unit. This was found especially for age at first date, number of dating partners, and number of sexual partners for those from reconstituted and never-married households. A Test of Joint Significance confirmed the mediational influence of music i...
TL;DR: The authors explored father-adolescent daughter relationships in 42 individual interviews with father-daughter dyads in a minority, low-income South African community, focusing on a prominent theme in the interview data that revolves around fathers' repeated statements that they wanted their daughters to have better lives than they themselves had and the parenting strategies they reported to achieve this aspiration.
Abstract: Although research indicates the importance of fathers in adolescent daughters’ psychosocial development, father–adolescent daughter relationships have been neglected in both international and local research. Furthermore, the relatively small body of research that does exist has mostly been conducted in North American and European contexts. Our study aimed to generate knowledge about father–adolescent daughter relationships in a minority, low-income South African community. In this social constructionist informed community-based study, we explored father–daughter relationships in 42 individual interviews with father–daughter dyads. This article focuses on a prominent theme in the interview data that revolves around fathers’ repeated statements that they wanted their daughters to have betters lives than they themselves had and the parenting strategies they reported to achieve this aspiration. We conclude that these fathers could benefit from reflecting on the apparent limitations of their parenting practice...
TL;DR: The authors collected survey data from 230 retired women in a Midwestern state and found that the qualitative responses contained detailed advice to future retired women on issues of significance to the retirement transition, such as planning ahead, preparing financially, responding to unexpected events, and examining sources for social support.
Abstract: Women's labor force participation has steadily increased in the United States since the 1970s, making retirement a relevant concept to women. Current research frequently neglects the unique needs of retiring women and the manner in which women must effectively prepare for retirement. As part of a larger study exploring women's retirement satisfaction, we collected survey data from 230 retired women in a Midwestern state. The qualitative responses contained detailed advice to future retired women on issues of significance to the retirement transition. Specifically, our sample had clear messages about planning ahead, preparing financially, responding to unexpected events, and examining sources for social support. These findings are discussed and recommendations are made to practitioners and professionals working with future female retirees.
TL;DR: In this paper, a phenomenological study aimed to identify how African American emerging adults experience their parental romantic relationships and how they find meaning in the romantic relationships of their parents, which affect the way these adults perceive, develop, and maintain their own romantic unions.
Abstract: The quality of romantic relationships that parents maintain has an impact on their children. Emerging adult children base their relationships on similar values and/or opposing beliefs of their parental romantic relationships. This phenomenological study aimed to identify how African American emerging adults experience their parental romantic relationships and how they find meaning in the romantic relationships of their parents. Results suggest that African American emerging adults develop both positive and negative perceptions about romantic relationships from their parents’ relationships, which affect the way these adults perceive, develop, and maintain their own romantic unions. African American emerging adults also find meaning in their parental couple relationships as they share similar experiences in their relationship quality, mate choice, and/or personal or mate characteristics and personality traits as their parents.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how perceptions of domestic equity are related to mental and physical health and whether these relationships differ by gender and found that perceiving the division of household labor as unfair to oneself is related to poorer mental health, whereas perceiving a division as unfair for one's spouse is linked to poorer physical health regardless of gender.
Abstract: Research examining the relationship between household labor and health has not sufficiently considered perceptions of domestic equity, physical health, or potential gender differences in these relationships. Using survey data from 1,234 lawyers, we examine how perceptions of domestic equity are related to mental and physical health and whether these relationships differ by gender. The results indicate that perceiving the division of household labor as unfair to oneself is related to poorer mental health, whereas perceiving the division as unfair to one's spouse is related to poorer physical health, regardless of gender. This article demonstrates the importance of treating perceptions of unfairness to oneself and one's spouse as distinct experiences, while also considering the wider context wherein these relationships exist.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how newly married couples construct and reconstruct commitment through events in courtship and early marriage and explore six different themes (friendship, gradual process, positive examples, negative examples, planning for the future, and words of affirmation) emerged in the construction, origination and communication of commitment.
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how newly married couples construct and reconstruct commitment through events in courtship and early marriage. Fifteen newly married couples, 30 participants, were interviewed individually. Through the use of grounded theory six different themes (friendship, gradual process, positive examples, negative examples, planning for the future, and words of affirmation) emerged in the construction, origination, and communication of commitment. The results of this study have specific implications for theory, research, and practice with young adult couples. The concept of resilient commitment is introduced and briefly discussed.
TL;DR: This paper examined the contextual nature of parenting goals in mothers and fathers of adolescents and examined dyadic parenting similarity in parenting responses and parenting goals, finding that parenting goals were influenced by characteristics of the situation but not by parent or adolescent gender.
Abstract: We extended on previous work by examining the contextual nature of parenting goals in mothers and fathers of adolescents. We also examined dyadic parenting similarity in parenting responses and parenting goals. Participants were 285 primarily professional (48.6%), White (82.7%) parents of adolescents aged 14 to 17 years old (mothers n = 213, fathers n = 68, dyads n = 43). Results of a 2 × 2 × 6 MANCOVA indicated that parenting goals were influenced by characteristics of the situation but not by parent or adolescent gender. There was dyadic parenting similarity for parenting responses and dyadic similarity for parenting goals. The implications of these findings for parenting interventions and future parenting research using within family comparisons are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the relationship between preadolescents' perceptions of their parents' parenting style and depressive symptomatology was examined in a sample of 640 Greek pre adolescents (mean age = 11.82 years, SD = 0.83).
Abstract: The relationships between preadolescents’ perceptions of their parents’ parenting style and depressive symptomatology were examined in a sample of 640 Greek preadolescents (mean age = 11.82 years, SD = .83). Children completed the Paternal Style and Dimensions Questionnaire, the Maternal Style and Dimensions Questionnaire, and the Children's Depression Inventory. According to the results, there is a significant link between parenting style (both for mothers and fathers) and depressive symptoms as manifested by preadolescents. In this study, gender differences were not found. Furthermore, the results indicate that preadolescents’ perception of their parents’ style is a significant factor in predicting depressive symptomatology. Finally, the present findings highlight the influence of parenting styles on children's psychological wellbeing.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined how marital issues, including decision-making, activities, affection, conflict, financial matters, stability, and values, changed over the first 5 years of marriage for 242 Utah, Latter-Day-Saints individuals.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to extend previous research in the area of longitudinal marital satisfaction by examining how marital issues, including decision-making, activities, affection, conflict, financial matters, stability, and values, changed over the first 5 years of marriage for 242 Utah, Latter-Day-Saint individuals. In addition, this study examined whether change occurs differently for husbands versus wives and for at-risk individuals versus non-risk individuals. The results showed that four marital issues worsened over time (activities, affection, conflict, and stability). Two of the six subscales (activities and affection) were found to differ significantly by gender. In addition, four subscales were significantly different for at-risk couples when compared with non-risk couples (decision-making, activities, conflict, and stability). Limitations and recommendations are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, two competing theoretical frameworks are tested, namely the relative resources perspective and the gender role attitudes perspective, using ordinary least-squares regression models, based on a well-suited dataset confined to the city of Turin.
Abstract: The female employment rate in Western countries has risen dramatically in recent decades, but the division of unpaid family work remains strongly unequal. Clear solutions to this puzzle have proven elusive. This study aims to add new information from Italy to the knowledge concerning the division of domestic activities. To this end, two competing theoretical frameworks are tested, namely the relative resources perspective and the gender role attitudes perspective, using ordinary least-squares regression models. The analysis is based on a well-suited dataset confined to the city of Turin. The predictions from the relative resources perspective are poorly supported, whereas it is very difficult to draw a clear-cut conclusion as regards the gender role attitudes perspective. Further research is required to deepen these results.
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of young adults focused on family-of-origin, attachment, marital beliefs, and marital intentions constructs was conducted and the results indicated that two WMM dimensions were significantly predicted by the variables and that individuals grouped into four WMM classifications based on the two dimensions were likewise different among the variables.
Abstract: Working models of marriage (WMM) is a unique application of attachment theory because it applies to beliefs about being a spouse and about another's ability to be one's spouse. It varies from generic working models of the self and other by its reflection of one's assumptions about marriage as a unique relationship form. Unmarried, young adults (n = 1,490) completed a survey that focused on family-of-origin, attachment, marital beliefs, and marital intentions constructs. Results indicated that two WMM dimensions were significantly predicted by the variables and that individuals grouped into four WMM classifications based on the two dimensions were likewise different among the variables. Implications for relationship confidence and for conceptual refinement are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, a Likert-type survey based on the research literature explored the relationship between the 12 patterns of parental participation (e.g., monitoring student grades, parental expectations, etc.) and students' academic achievement as measured by parent report of the students' numerical grade averages.
Abstract: This article provides a description of a correlational study that examined parents’ views on the impact of parental participation on female English as a second language (ESL) middle school students’ academic achievement in the Persian Gulf Region. A Likert-type survey based on the research literature explored the relationship between the 12 patterns of parental participation (e.g., monitoring student grades, parental expectations, etc.) and students’ academic achievement, as measured by parent report of the students' numerical grade averages. Findings showed that although there was no significant correlation between reported parental involvement and students’ academic averages overall, significant correlations were obtained for two subsamples of Saudi and Palestinian parents. Barriers that deter parents from participating in their daughters’ academics were identical to those reported among Hispanic and Asian parents in the United States. The article concludes with a discussion of the results and recommend...
TL;DR: This paper explored the uniqueness of staying over, or spending the night with a romantic partner, as a relationship status and found that individuals in stay-over relationships were similar to those in dating relationships and that cohabiters, defined as those who lived with their romantic partner in the same residence, were the most likely to differ from those in other types of relationships on demographic, intrapersonal, and relational assessments.
Abstract: This study explored the potential uniqueness of staying over, or spending the night with a romantic partner, as a relationship status. Using a recent sample of 2,304 individuals in romantic relationships, we explored how staying over might be associated with demographic, intrapersonal, and relational characteristics. Results suggested that individuals in “stay-over relationships” were similar to those in dating relationships and that cohabiters, defined as those who lived with a romantic partner in the same residence, were the most likely to differ from those in other types of relationships on demographic, intrapersonal, and relational assessments. Staying over in the absence of cohabitation was not associated with differences in relationship outcomes once controls were taken into account, but cohabiters who were not spending the night together did report lower relationship satisfaction compared with cohabiters spending most nights together.
TL;DR: This paper examined changes in parental attitudes for couples and compared differences in parent attitudes as measured by the empathy and family roles subscales of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 at pre- and post-assessment.
Abstract: Economically strained couples experience a multitude of chronic stressors and are at greater risk for lower quality relationships with their children. Relationship education (RE) programs indicate positive results for economically strained couples who attend. However, most studies examine relationship satisfaction or communication patterns with few addressing the influence of RE on parental attitudes. Therefore, we examined changes in parental attitudes for couples (n = 70) and compared differences in parental attitudes as measured by the empathy and family roles subscales of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 at pre- and post-assessment. Results partially supported the hypothesis becasue participants indicated no significant differences between pre- and post-scores on empathy; however, participants did indicate significant differences between pre- and post-scores on family roles. Implications of results and discussion are provided.
TL;DR: The authors examined the relationship between relational status and adversarial sexual attitudes toward women and found that individuals in more advanced relational stages, such as marriage or having been married (i.e., divorced), are less accepting of rape myth acceptance, adversarialsexual beliefs, and acceptance of interpersonal violence than individuals in less advanced relational stage or less defined relational stages (e.g., “other”).
Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between relational status and adversarial sexual attitudes toward women. Data were collected online at a large southwestern university. Seven hundred seventeen individuals participated in the study (342 men and 375 women). The mean age of the sample was 22.23 years (SD = 5.53; range, 18–63). Participants reported their current relational status as being casually dating, seriously dating, engaged, married, divorced, not seeing anyone, and “other.” Results indicate that individuals in more advanced relational stages, such as marriage or having been married (i.e., divorced), are less accepting of rape myth acceptance, adversarial sexual beliefs, and acceptance of interpersonal violence than individuals in less advanced relational stages or less defined relational stages (e.g., “other”). Additional analyses examined relational status and age as they relate to the criterion variables, and results indicate that individuals who are younger are som...
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative study examined the parent-child relationships portrayed in The Twilight Saga and five themes emerged through inductive analyses, including a comparison of the themes in the novels with the literature on parent-adolescent relationships.
Abstract: One source of cultural messages for adolescents is the novel According to Reader Response Theory, readers interact with the text to construct meaning This process makes novels an effective tool for facilitating parent–child communication The current qualitative study examined the parent–child relationships portrayed in The Twilight Saga Five themes emerged through inductive analyses This article includes a comparison of the themes in the novels with the literature on parent–adolescent relationships We also offer suggestions to family life educators regarding how to use the novels with parents and teens to facilitate communication about parent–child relationships