Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science

Specialization

Developmental Science

Department

Human Development and Family Science

First Advisor

Karen McCurdy

Abstract

Family, friendship, and romantic relationships are considered to be the most important close relationships in one’s life (Demir, 2010). The current study sought to examine the role of adolescent and adult personal (personality) and interpersonal (relationships with parents and peers) factors as predictors of adult romantic relationship quality. The study also aimed to examine the association between personality and relationship factors and the absence or presence of a romantic relationship in adulthood. The data for this study came from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), which is a 12-year, 4-wave, longitudinal study. The sample included 1,929 participants who took part in Wave I and Wave IV of the study. Linear regression was utilized to examine the relationship between adolescent and adult personality and relationship factors and romantic relationship quality in adulthood, and to compare the strength of adolescent and adult predictors. Results revealed that adolescent factors were stronger predictors of adult romantic relationship quality, with adolescent conscientiousness being the strongest predictor amongst variables. Logistic regression was also used to determine the association between personality and relationship factors and relationship status. Findings indicate that a better-quality relationship with an individual’s mother during adolescence and higher levels of extraversion in adulthood, increased the likelihood of being in a romantic relationship in adulthood. The results of this study contribute to the limited amount of existing literature concerning adolescent and adult personality and relationship factors impact on romantic relationship quality in adulthood.

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