Intergenerational value transmission within the family and the role of emotional relationship quality

Abstract

Emotional relationship quality of adolescents/emerging adults toward their mothers is addressed: (1) as a transmission belt for the intergenerational transfer of general values and (2) regarding the two-step model of value internalization. The sample consisted of N = 73 dyads of mothers and their 12–25–year-old children (51 daughters, 22 sons) living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Mothers and adolescents/emerging adults reported on their general value orientations; in addition, adolescents/emerging adults reported on emotional relationship quality toward mothers. In a subsample of n = 46 mother-adolescent/emerging adult dyads, additional information was available regarding maternal socialization goals, adolescents'/emerging adults' perceptions of these goals, and adolescents'/emerging adults' perceived value similarity with mothers. Attachment/closeness of adolescents/emerging adults toward their mothers was related to higher, whereas dislike and worry were related to lower value consensus/congruence. Furthermore, dislike was linked to lower accuracy of value perception, whereas closeness/attachment and worry corresponded with higher perceived similarity to mothers.