• Appraisals of Conflict with Parents and Adolescents' Adjustment: A Longitudinal Analysis
  Presented by: Jinni Su, Cheryl Buehler, Alyson M. Cavanaugh, Gordon T. Harold

• Linked Lives: Stressor Experiences of Low-income Mothers and Adolescents
  Presented by: Duhita Mahatmya, Brenda Lohman

• Helicopter Parenting and Family Formation Values in Emerging Adulthood
  Presented by: Josh Hersh, Jennifer Sawada, Brian J. Willoughby

• Coming of Age in the Margins of the Rural Economy: Low-Income Youth on Reaching Adulthood
  Presented by: Katherine A. MacTavish

Abstracts

Appraisals of Conflict with Parents and Adolescents' Adjustment: A Longitudinal Analysis

Presented by: Jinni Su, Cheryl Buehler, Alyson M. Cavanaugh, Gordon T. Harold

This study examined the influence of adolescents' appraisals of conflict with mothers and fathers on their changes of internalizing problems and aggression from 6^th grade through 8^th and 9^th grades. The sample consisted of 416 early adolescents, their married parents, and their teachers. Results indicated that appraisals of conflict with mothers significantly predicted sons' increased aggression, but did not predict daughters' increased aggression or changes in internalizing problems of daughters' and sons'.  Appraisals of conflict with fathers significantly predicted daughters' and sons' increased internalizing problems, but did not predict changes in aggression for daughters or sons.

Linked Lives: Stressor Experiences of Low-income Mothers and Adolescents

Presented by: Duhita Mahatmya, Brenda Lohman

Using data from Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study and latent growth curve analyses, this study examined the stressor experiences of low-income mothers and their adolescent children during the post-welfare reform era. It was hypothesized that changes in the stressor experiences of mothers, adolescents, and the whole family would be positively interrelated. Findings revealed that the adolescent's level of stress was significantly and positively related to the mother's and family's level of stress; increases in the adolescent's stress was positively linked to increases in the family's stress as well. Implications for family stress and life course theories are discussed.

Helicopter parenting and family formation values in emerging adulthood

Presented by: Josh Hersh, Jennifer Sawada, Brian J. Willoughby

 The main goal of this study was to understand how specific parenting behaviors during emerging adulthood may influence emerging adults' views and perceptions regarding marriage.  Guided by marital horizon theory and using a sample of 753 college students, we found that marital and family formation values can be partially predicted by perceived parental involvement and overprotective (helicopter) parenting. Results suggest that emerging adults experiencing overprotective parenting may have less desire to form a family due to the way their parents intrude in their lives.

Coming of Age in the Margins of the Rural Economy: Low-Income Youth on Reaching Adulthood

Presented by: Katherine A. MacTavish

Shifts in the nation's economy have altered opportunities for work, demands for education, and subsequently the transition to adulthood. This analysis makes use of a decade of ethnographic data to examine young people coming of age within the context of a rural trailer park. Findings illuminate the complex interplay between social and economic realities that shape the alternative futures available to young rural adults. Our findings suggest several ways programs and policies might better ensure young adult coming of age in the margins of a new rural economy are not left behind.