Competence in early adult romantic relationships: A developmental perspective on family influences

The present prospective, longitudinal study of 193 young adults (85 men, 10 8 women, M = 20.7 years old) and their partners in ongoing romantic relatio nships in 1997 was initiated in 1989, when the 193 target youths were in th e 7th grade. On the basis of the model for the development of early adult r omantic relationships (DEARR: C. Bryant & R. D. Conger, in press), the auth ors hypothesized that interactional processes in the family of origin would predict interpersonal skills by the target youths, which would be positive ly related to the early adult couple's relationship quality. Observational ratings showed that nurturant-involved parenting in the family of origin pr edicted behaviors by the target youth to a romantic partner that were warm, supportive, and low in hostility. These competent behaviors of the target youth were positively associated with relationship quality for the early ad ult couple and also mediated or explained the connection between parenting and relationship quality.