Degree Type

Thesis

Date of Award

2012

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Human Development and Family Studies

First Advisor

Clinton G. Gudmunson

Abstract

Paper 1: Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (N = 1938), a birth cohort study, this work examined how income and changes in income are associated with life course transitions regarding relationship status, such as marriage or breaking up, and transitioning to parenthood in first cohabiting unions. Results were consistent with the Financial Expectation and Family Formation theory given that income and changes in income were associated with greater odds of marriage, but not related to parenthood.

Paper 2: This study examined continuities in socioeconomic status across two generations (G1, G2) directly and as mediated through G1 parenting, G2 personality, and G2 age of first romantic partnership. Participants were 334 emerging adults from an ongoing longitudinal study on the transition to adulthood. Consistent with the interactionist model, the results indicated that G1 SES was associated with G2 personality indirectly through G1 parenting. G1 parenting was also indirectly associated with G2 age at partnership through G2 personality. G1 SES and G2 first partnership directly predicted G2 SES. Findings were consistent across each personality superfactor: positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and constraint.

Copyright Owner

Jennifer Marie Senia

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

File Size

86 pages

Download

Share

COinS