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. 2000 Apr;68(2):195-208.
doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.68.2.195.

Adolescent and family predictors of physical aggression, communication, and satisfaction in young adult couples: a prospective analysis

J A Andrews  1 , S L Foster, D Capaldi, H Hops
Affiliations

Adolescent and family predictors of physical aggression, communication, and satisfaction in young adult couples: a prospective analysis

J A Andrews et al. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000 Apr.

Abstract

This study tested a model wherein the family conflict, depression, and antisocial behavior of 254 adolescents (mean age = 17 years; 63% female) are prospectively related to functioning within a marital (51%) or dating relationship in young adulthood (mean age = 23 years). Family aversive communication in adolescence and adolescent antisocial behavior predicted couple physical aggression. Family aversive communication predicted dyadic satisfaction and aversive couple communication for married women and dating men. Among those with partners who reported little antisocial behavior, adolescent antisocial behavior inversely predicted couple satisfaction and facilitative behavior. Partner antisocial behavior did not mediate the relation between adolescent characteristics and couple functioning. Findings emphasize the importance of the early family environment and psychopathology of the adolescent in the development of adaptive couple relationships.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The theoretical relation between adolescent predictors and young adult adjustment, a = mediating effect of partner antisocial behavior; b = moderating effect of partner antisocial behavior; c = moderating effect of gender and marital status.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The relation between adolescent antisocial behavior and couple satisfaction as a function of partner antisocial behavior. The filled triangle represents high partner antisocial behavior, the filled square represents medium partner antisocial behavior, and the filled circle represents low partner antisocial behavior.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The relation between adolescent antisocial behavior and dyadic facilitative communication as a function of partner antisocial behavior. The filled triangle represents high partner antisocial behavior, the filled square represents medium partner antisocial behavior, and the filled circle represents low partner antisocial behavior.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The relation between parent-related adolescent depression and physical aggression (standardized) as a function of partner antisocial behavior. The filled triangle represents high partner antisocial behavior, the filled square represents medium partner antisocial behavior, and the filled circle represents low partner antisocial behavior.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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