The Impact of Paternal Involvement and Parental Divorce on Young Adults' Intimate Relationships

Abstract

The impact of divorce on children's development has been widely studied. The long-term effects of divorce on young adults have been observed when young adults attempt to initiate intimate relationships. The relationship between parental divorce in childhood and difficulties in establishing intimate relationships in young adulthood may be understood by exploring the impact of extended paternal absence. A major consequence of a parental divorce is a decrease in paternal involvement. Until recently the effects of paternal absence related to a parental divorce have not been investigated. The present study evaluates the influences of paternal involvement and parental divorce on young adult's intimate relationships. Four hundred and eight participants ranging in age from 18-34 from divorced and intact families completed self-report measures on paternal involvement, intimacy, insecurity, commitment, and trust. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the predictive power of parental marital status and paternal involvement on the relationship outcome measures. Paternal involvement is a significant influence on all relationship dimensions assessed, regardless of parent's marital status. Young adults from divorced families suffer more negative relationship outcomes independent of parental involvement.

Key Words:

• Fathers and divorce
• young adults and divorce
• post-divorce paternal involvement