research project investigates the ways in which adolescent social
relationships promote or inhibit the development of healthy adult
family relationships. Three ideas rooted in the family literature of
several disciplines motivate this project: 1) relationships early in
life are socializing agents for later life social relationships; 2)
adolescent relationships from various domains are important for later
social relationships; and 3) content and quality of relationships,
rather than mere existence, are important dimensions that condition the
effects of early relationships on later relationships. The project
assesses how adolescent social relationships affect the development and
maintenance of young adults’ family relationships with cohabiting
partners, spouses, and young children. The analyses rely on data from
four complementary sources: The National Longitudinal Study of
Adolescent Health (Add Health); the Youth Development Study (YDS); the
National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH); and the Minnesota
Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (MLSPC). Funding for this research comes from the National Institutes of Child Health and Development (NICHD).
Meier, Ann and Gina Allen. Forthcoming. "Intimate Relationship Development during the Transition to Adulthood: Differences by Social Class." New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development.
Meier, Ann and Gina Allen. 2007. “The Development
of Romantic Relationships from Adolescence to Adulthood." Under Review.
Meier, Ann, Gina Allen, and Kathleen Mullan Harris.
2007. "Adolescent Relationship Precursors to Young Adult Family
Formation in Disadvantaged Populations." In preparation.
Musick, Kelly, Ann Meier, and Larry Bumpass. 2007. "Influences of Family Structure, Conflict, and Change on Transitions to Adulthood." Revise and resubmit, in preparation for resubmission.
Meier, Ann, Kelly Musick, and Larry Bumpass. 2007. "Mothers, Fathers, and the Link between Adolescent Family Experiences and the Transition to Adulthood." In preparation.
Meier, Ann, Kathleen Hull, and Timothy Ortyl. 2007. "Relationship Values, Attitudes, and Aspirations among Sexual Minority Youth." Under review.
Meier, Ann and Penny Edgell. 2007. "Religious Stability and Change from Adolescence to Early Adulthood." In preparation.