Are close relationships in adolescence linked with partner relationships in midlife? A longitudinal, prospective study

Abstract

Utilising data from a Swedish longitudinal project, relationships with parents and friends were studied at ages 13 through 18, and with partners at age 37. The participants (N = 131, 56 females, 75 males) were either married or cohabiting in long-term relationships in midlife. In support of previous studies, which rely mostly on retrospective ” ndings, we found in this longitudinal study that adolescents with affectionate and trustful relationships with their parents reported greater satisfaction with their partner relationships in midlife. This was specifically true for father-son relationships. Parent-parent relations in adolescence were not linked with the quality of adult partner relationships. Boys who were shy in relation to friends were more dissatisfied with their partner relationships, and boys who regarded cross-gender relationships as less important in adolescence were more satis” ed with their adult partner relationships. Girls who were more worried about cross-gender relationships in adolescence were less satis” ed with their partners. On the whole, adolescent boys’ relationships with fathers had the clearest link with later adult partner relationships.