Cell Phone Usage Expectations, Closeness, and Relationship Satisfaction Between Parents and Their Emerging Adults in College

Abstract

Frequent cell phone contact between emerging adults in college and parents raises the question of how they manage access and maintain control over cell phone use and how it affects their relationships. Emerging adults in college ( N = 207) completed measures of relational satisfaction and closeness, cell phone satisfaction, and cell phone rules for their parents. Participants reported cell phone rules about availability, repetitive contact, and relational arguments. Positive associations existed between cell phone satisfaction and relationship satisfaction with mother and father, and between frequency of cell phone interaction and closeness with mother. Having some rules significantly predicted cell phone satisfaction, closeness, and relationship satisfaction with mothers.