Could your Relationship with your Parents Affect Romantic Friendships Later in Life?

It may not come as much of a shock that our parents behaviors throughout their marriage could potentially influence our own future when it comes to finding true love. Yet according to a recent study by researchers from the University of Alberta, Canada, they found that getting along well with our parents can increase chances of overall happiness in a romantic relationship as an adult.   

For the study, researchers examined the data of 2,970 people over the span of a 15 year period. They discovered that those who had a good relationship between parents and adolescents lowered their risk of depression and increased self-esteem. This was also likely to increase positive outlooks for romantic relationships later in life.

"People tend to compartmentalize their relationships; they tend not to see the connection between one kind, such as family relations, and another, like couple unions," said Matt Johnson from the university, via the Business Standard. "But understanding your contribution to the relationship with your parents would be important to recognizing any tendency to replicate behavior - positive or negative - in an intimate relationship."

However, for adults not having the best of luck in the romantic department, researchers strongly suggest not to blame their parents just yet.

"It is important to recognize everyone has a role to play in creating a healthy relationship, and each person needs to take responsibility for their contribution to that dynamic," Johnson said, via the Daily Mail.

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be seen via the Journal of Marriage and Family.