title: The association between parental images and satisfaction in intimate relationships in a Northern Finland sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Experiences in one's family of origin, especially the relationship to one's parents, supposedly form the basis of relationships in adulthood. The connection between traumatic childhood events and later life has been studied intensively, whereas average childhood growth experiences have been given less attention. The aim of this study was to find out the association between images of the mother and father and the psychosocial well-being of young adults from the perspective of satisfaction in intimate relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research is a part of the Oulu University Hospital Mother-Child Follow-up Study 1971-1972. The follow-up data were collected from the young adults (n=337) in 2000 by way of mailed questionnaires, which included 17 questions about the participants' images of their parents and 18 questions about their intimate relationship satisfaction. In this study we used attachment theory as a theoretical frame of reference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mental images of dominating parents were associated with quarrelsome intimate relationships, and the image of a dominating father, with repressive/submissive and less balanced relationships. Mental images of diligent and sociable parents were associated with a loving and balanced relationship, and the image of supportive parents, with a balanced relationship. Parental diligence was associated with a less quarrelsome relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The young adults' mental images of their parents were associated with their intimate relationship satisfaction. Positive mental images of the father, in particular, seemed to protect young adults from a quarrelsome and repressive/submissive intimate relationship.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Oulu, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland. annukka.kiviniemi@pp.inet.fi
authors.forename: Annukka Auni Inkeri
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kiviniemi
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wasz-Höckert
authors.forename: Leila Kaarina
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Seitamo
authors.forename: Leena Orvokki
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Joskitt
authors.forename: Hanna Pauliina
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Heikkinen
authors.forename: Irma Kaarina
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Moilanen
authors.forename: Hanna Elina
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ebeling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult