Family Relationships as Moderators of the Association between Romantic Relationships and Adjustment in Early Adolescence

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Abstract
The role of adolescents' family relationships as moderators of the negative associations between early steady dating and adjustment was investigated. Two hundred forty-four adolescents, 13to 14 years old, reported on family and peer relationships (attachment security to mother and father, marital conflict, parenting style, friend nominations) and adjustment. As predicted, negative associations between early steady dating and adjustment were moderated by family factors and gender. For girls in families high in marital conflict, steady dating was associated with lower self-esteem, and in authoritarian families, with more symptoms of depression. Girls securely attached to their mother and not dating steadily had higher grades. These findings suggest that success in prior relationships contributes to adolescents' abilities to cope with later developmental challenges.