Emerging adulthood (the time from 18-29-years of age) is a relatively new conceptualization of time in the lifespan that can help explain how young adults are experiencing a time period that is different from previous generations. This has large implications for understanding parent-child relationships during this time. Further, emerging adulthood is a time characterized by instability, changing parent-child roles, the highest rates of risk behaviors in the lifespan, and is usually the time when the onset of mental health disorders occurs. As such, Team REAL examines emerging adults’ experiences across a variety of areas, their relationships with their parents, and how these relate to well-being. Consequently, this team aims to clarify the impact of parenting practices on emerging adults to delineate risk and protective factors for adjustment and well-being.
Students in this team can expect to engage at all points in the research process, including reviewing and discussing relevant research articles, formulating research studies and questions, data collection and recruitment (through daily diary studies, cross-sectional surveys, interviews, and focus groups), analyses, paper writing, and presentations of research findings at regional and national conferences. Students will have a lot of voice in the design of studies. This team will be of particular interest to those that enjoy developmental psychology, family dynamics, emerging adults, and/or cultural research.
Past & Current Research Projects
Past Projects:
- Constant Connection: Parent-Child Relationships, Technology Use, and Well-Being in Emerging Adults
- An Exploration of How Parental Age Influences Emerging Adult Well-Being
- Predictors of Risk Behaviors and General Life Satisfaction in Non-College Attending Emerging Adults
- A Comparison of Emerging Adult Sibling Relationships in Children with Parents Diagnosed with Mood Disorders
- Nicotine and Tobacco Use in Emerging Adults (Predictors including peer, family relationships, and stigma)
- The Relationship Between Childhood Attachment Styles and Views on Marriage among Emerging Adults
- Quality and Quantity of Sleep in Emerging Adults
- An Investigation into the Dynamics Between Emerging Adults’ Social Media Usage and Interpersonal Relationships
- Sexual Milestones and Physical Intimacy in Emerging Adulthood
- Healthy Relationships with Companions (Friends, Parents, Animals): Promoting Mental Health
- Online Relationships in 2020 First Year College Students
Current Projects:
- Parental Involvement & Well-Being in Athletics
- Parent-Child Relationship Quality & Well-Being in Dyads of Disabled & Able-Bodied Parents and Emerging Adults
- Parenting Styles & Their Impact on Family Rituals