Research Symposium

BIO

Hi! My name is Ella Alfassy and I am a first-year undergraduate student from Marlton, NJ. I am currently studying Cell and Molecular Neuroscience on the Pre-Physician Assistant Track. Throughout my entire life, I have always had a passion for studying how the human brain works, specifically how certain factors influence its development. As someone who one day hopes to have kids of her own, I was particularly fascinated with studying how the absence of parental affirmation shapes adulthood experiences, including adult romantic relationships and personality formation. After hearing many personal narratives, I have gleaned invaluable insights that will not only help me throughout my academic pursuits here at FSU, but also in my future parenting endeavors as well! Outside of research, I enjoy spending time outdoors and doing yoga. I am also an avid member of the Jewish community on campus through participation in Chabad, the Jewish Student Union, and Hillel, which have provided me with immense comfort and connection!

Lack of Affirmation in Childhood and Adult Romantic Relationships

Abstract

The developmental trajectory following early experiences varies among individuals, shaping their psychological well-being into adulthood. The family system, particularly the quality of parent-child relationships, is identified as a pivotal factor in setting the stage for defective paths, leading to psychological vulnerabilities and challenges in adult romantic relationships. A primary goal of this study was to examine individuals’ experiences who have a childhood history of a lack of parental affirmation using deductive qualitative analysis (DQA). DQA is a qualitative research methodology used to evaluate and refine the existing theory. Many of the interviewees experienced a lack of affirmation and many impinging factors on EDD during childhood. In adulthood, the individuals reported many emotional challenges, including negative emotions and emotional immaturity, as well as issues with self-esteem. Within interpersonal relationships, there were shared experiences of behaviors that were motivated by a need for safety. There were also a few parallel patterns between childhood and adulthood observed, including anticipation of relationships and the view of self. Despite this, many individuals displayed resilience. These results highlight how unmet emotional needs in childhood affect personality formation and adulthood experiences, which is meant to raise awareness of the effects of a lack of affirmation on adult romantic relationships and help clinicians develop appropriate treatment plans for their clients with such a history.

Keywords: Developmental Psychology, Parent-child relationship, Attachment, Childhood Trauma, Romantic Relationship Quality