Family dynamics in adolescence affect midlife well-being.
This longitudinal study explores the association between family system characteristics measured during adolescence and later midlife well-being. Home interviews were held in the 1970s with 99 families with adolescents. Connection and individuation in the family system were coded from taped family interactions. Twenty-five years later, telephone interviews were conducted with 54 men and 120 women (representing 82 families) who were adolescents in the 1970s interviews. Family experiences during adolescence predicted adult well-being 25 years later. In a structural equation model, there was a direct effect of family both on the adolescents' later marriage and on well-being at midlife; for men, marriage also affected well-being. The results support the importance of connection and individuation in the adolescent family for adult well-being.
Program in Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX 77057-1098, USA. belllinda@cl.uh.edu
Linda G
LG
Bell
David C
DC
Bell
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors