Citation
Kitson, Mary Elizabeth (2015). Relational adjustment of former foster care youth into emerging adulthood.
Abstract
Romantic relationships are important for development in adolescence and emerging adulthood, but less is known about the romantic relationships of different groups of children. This study investigated the group differences of romantic relationship quality during adolescence as well as romantic relationship satisfaction during emerging adulthood between biologically raised youth, adopted youth, and foster care youth. The study sample included 900 foster and/or adopted adolescents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent To Adult Health, as well as 14,271 individuals raised by their biological parents. Romantic relationship quality during adolescence and romantic relationship satisfaction during emerging adulthood were measured through self-report of positive relationship experiences. Findings from hierarchical multiple regressions suggest that, after controlling for gender and depression, there are no statistically significant differences in romantic relationship quality or satisfaction among biologically raised, adopted, or foster care children. This finding suggests that, no matter which group children belong to, youth report equal experiences of satisfaction within romantic relationships during adolescence and emerging adulthood.
Reference Type
Thesis/Dissertation
Book Title
Honors College
Author(s)
Kitson, Mary Elizabeth
Year Published
2015
Publisher
Kent State University
Reference ID
5682
