Relations with parents and identity statuses in the relational domain in emerging adults

BACKGROUND Emerging adulthood is a core developmental period in which individuals can develop a meaningful identity in the relational domain (with a romantic partner). The aim of the study was to examine relationships between relations with parents and identity statuses in the relational domain in emerging adults. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE Participants were 266 (47.30% males) emerging adults (M = 22.50, SD = 1.73). They completed self-report measures of relations with parents and identity. RESULTS More than half of the participants were in the moratorium status or were not involved in a romantic relationship (35% and 29%, respectively). Relations with parents were linked to identity statuses in the relational domain. Particularly, the perception of low autonomy given by the father was related to less mature identity statuses. CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted that transition from singleness to stable partnerships seems to be challenging. Therefore, it is important to examine correlates of identity statuses in this domain.