Parent-Emerging Adult Relationships in the Digital Age: A Family Systems Theoretical Perspective

Introduction And Background

Emerging adulthood, the time of life between the ages of 18 and 29, is characterized by exploration and instability. The goal of this period is the development of autonomy and self-sufficiency (Arnett, 2015). Though many emerging adults navigate the journey toward adulthood successfully (Arnett, 2007), the instability that coincides with self-exploration triggers increased stress (Arnett, 2015; Asberg, Bowers, Renk, & McKinney, 2008; Peer, Hillman, & Van Hoet, 2015) and self-doubt (Peer & McAuslan, 2016) for some. Social support is critical for buffering the negative impacts during this time (Masten, Obradović, & Burt, 2006). Parents serve as primary sources of such support, particularly during the early stages of emerging adulthood when individuals are beginning the process of establishing an identity independent of their family. As emerging adults work toward individuation, they maintain emotional connections with their parents (Lee, Mazaros, & Colvin, 2009). Moreover, healthy development during this stage of life is intimately related to family relationships, yet change and instability in these relationships are also part of emerging adult experiences (Aquilino, 2006).

Digital technology has revolutionized the manner in which emerging adults and their parents communicate with each other (Clark, 2011). As “digital natives,” emerging adults consume approximately 12 hours of digital media per day (Arnett, 2015). Cell phone usage, text messaging, and social media websites have become the preferred methods of communication among emerging adults. Digital technology has also become a main platform for communication for families and has greatly expanded the opportunities and frequency for emerging adults and their parents to communicate. Digital technology allows emerging adults and their parents to be in contact constantly and nearly instantly, wherever they may be and at any time.

Digital communication technology acts as an “electronic tether” between emerging adults and their parents (Hofer, 2008), which may impact emerging adult development and adjustment (Ramsey, Gentzler, Morey, Oberhauser, & Westerman, 2013). On the one hand, digital communication can enhance autonomy through the provision of a tool that individuals can use to efficiently gain needed support from parents, sometimes making it easier and less stressful to make important decisions. Emerging adults, for example, have reported that they rely on the support that they receive from their family through digital technology modalities (Arnett, 2015). On the other hand, this “instant access” can also serve to stifle developmental progress through overreliance on parents and in some cases through a continuation of dysfunctional family patterns via a new means. It is therefore critical to understand how evolving digital technologies influence the changing nature of parent-child relationships and how they can support and/or hinder healthy development of the emerging adult. In turn, it is also important to assess various factors related to the quality of the parent-child relationship (i.e., level and types of support provided, emotional closeness, level of conflict, and attachment patterns) and how they influence the use of digital technology to communicate (Ramsey et al., 2013).