Findings by researchers at Brigham Young University and analyses of larger, nationally representative surveys by the non-profit research group Child Trends are among an early round of studies on the relationship between parents and young adult children, often referred to as “emerging adults.” Most prior findings on parent-child relationships have been based on children or adolescents.
“You still do matter, even though your kids aren’t under your roof,” says Laura Padilla-Walker, a Brigham Young professor of human development. “It’s still important for you to know what they’re doing.”
She was the lead author of two recent studies about emerging adults, published online in the Journal of Adolescence and the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
One such study of 200 undergraduates and parents from four colleges around the country found that parental knowledge is associated with fewer risky behaviors in their children, including drinking, taking drugs and risky sexual activity. The finding mirrors earlier research on parents and adolescents.
