RELATIONS OF MARITAL SATISFACTION TO PEER OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENT BOYS- A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

This study examined relations of parents' marital relationship and par enting styles to concurrent and long-term peer-related outcomes in ado lescent boys. Measures of the marital relationship included mothers', fathers', and sons' reports of the marriage. Peer outcomes included so cial impact and preference among peers in early adolescence and aspect s of same-sex and opposite-sex relationships in mid-adolescence. Based on a sample of 62 boys and their parents, correlational results indic ated that the quality of the marriage when sons were early adolescents was related significantly to peer outcomes at both points in time, wi th sons' perceptions of the marriage being the most consistent predict or. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that these relat ions were robust, even when taking into account harsh and inconsistent parenting. The role of parents' marital relationship in adolescents' lives is discussed.