Trajectories of intergenerational relationship quality during emerging adulthood: Implications for emerging adult well-being
Date
2024-08
Authors
Lee, Jeenkyoung
Major Professor
Advisor
Neppl, Tricia K
Gilligan, Megan
Martin, Peter
Russell, Daniel W
Hughes-Belding, Kere
Committee Member
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Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the longitudinal trajectories of intergenerational relationships during emerging adulthood, the heterogeneity in patterns of change and continuity, and their implications for emerging adult (EA) well-being. Guided by a longitudinal approach and the life course perspective, two respective studies used emerging adults’ 10-year reports of intergenerational factors from the Family Transitions Project. The first study identified the overall pattern of change in parent-EA relationship quality as well as perceived support and frequency of contact across emerging adulthood (age 19 to 29) using a growth curve modeling approach. In addition, the association between growth factors (i.e. initial levels and slopes) of intergenerational warmth, tension, support, and contact, highlighting the multidimensionality of parent-child relationships, was examined. Key findings of the first study highlight that the pattern of change in EA parent-child relationships shifts at age 23 among all intergenerational factors. Intergenerational warmth and support increased from ages 19 to 23 and decreased from ages 25 to 29. EA tension and frequency of contact with parents declined from age 19 to 23 and flattened out from age 25 to 29 with a slight decrease. Further structural equation models showed that parental support is related to changes in intergenerational warmth and tension, and the change in frequency of contact during early emerging adulthood affects later changes in tension during later emerging adulthood. The second study explored different latent classes of EAs in their trajectories of intergenerational relationship quality when EAs are ages 19 to 25 employing a growth mixture modeling. Moreover, how group memberships (i.e., distinctive levels and patterns over time) affect EA psychological and physical well-being after four years was tested. Findings revealed three distinct trajectory classes for intergenerational warmth and tension, respectively: moderate-stable, high-slight increase, and low-stable warmth classes; and low-slight decrease, moderate-decrease, and high-decrease tension classes. Using a three-step manual approach, it was found that trajectory group memberships of both warmth and tension significantly predict EA psychological and physical well-being. These results shed light on longitudinal trajectories and their profound implications for EA well-being. Specifically, the findings on transformative patterns provide a comprehensive picture of intergenerational relationships across emerging adulthood. In addition, findings on the association between different intergenerational factors offer valuable insights into the mechanisms shaping these dynamics. The heterogeneity in trajectories, as well as the significant impact on the EA psychological and physical well-being, is important as it highlights the role of accumulated relationship quality on well-being outcomes. Overall, this dissertation contributes to intergenerational and EA literature and offers valuable insights for professionals working with families and EAs.
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dissertation