Digital Communication in Parent-Emerging Adult Relationships: Balancing Autonomy and Connection

Abstract

This study examined parent-emerging adult digital communication from a relational maintenance perspective. Our goal was to understand how relational maintenance behaviors enacted via digital communication are related to the emerging adult’s autonomy from and connection with parents. We examined the frequency of parent-initiated digital communication, the perceived reasons for communication, and whether parenting characteristics served as moderators. With a predominantly White and female sample of 265 college students (ages 18 to 23 or older, M = 19.73, SD = 1.37), we found that college students’ perceptions of the reasons for parental digital communication were related to both autonomy and connection. Frequency of digital communication was related to autonomy and connection only among parent-emerging adult dyads with specific attachment and parenting histories. We conclude that understanding of parent-emerging adult communication must be understood within the context of relational maintenance behaviors and broader relationship dynamics.

Keywords

attachment autonomy digital communication emerging adults parenting relationship maintenance

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