Assessing Parent-Adolescent Relationship: Communication Pattern and Conflict as Perceived by Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Communication pattern and conflict have an obvious impact on parent adolescent relationship. Aim: This study aimed to assess parent-adolescent relationship: communication patterns and conflict as perceived by the adolescent. Design: A descriptive research design was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was carried out in the nursing schools subordinate to the curative organization in Cairo for female and Abo Bakr secondary school in Elmarg for males. Subjects: Simple random sample of 498 student and their parents in adolescent stage was recruited. Data collection tools. 1- Interview questionnaire including two parts: a-Demographic data for Students, b-Demographic data for parents,2-Parent_adolescent communication scale,3- Family strength scale (FSS), 4-Parent/adolescent social competencies-conflict behavior questionnaire. Results: More than half of the studied subjects had moderate conflict level of parent /adolescent social competences-conflict behavior and more than one quarter of them had mild conflict and more than three quarter of the studied adolescent had mild degree of communication problem with their parents. Conclusion: More than half of the studied adolescents had moderate conflict level of parent /adolescent social competences-conflict behavior and more than one quarter of them had mild conflict also more than three quarters of them had mild degree of openness of Parent –Adolescent communication under the studied subjects. Additionally, there were moderate positive correlations between parent-adolescent communication and family strength, and parent adolescent competencies conflict behavior. Recommendations: Parents should be aware of physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes and needs of adolescence period to deal with their children positively and implementing an educational program about parent-adolescent communication, conflicts to include parents and adolescents viewpoints about conflict.