Conflict Resolution in Parent-Adolescent Relationships and Adolescent Delinquency

Abstract

This study examines the relation between conflict resolution styles in parentadolescent relationships and adolescent delinquency. Questionnaires about conflict resolution styles were completed by 284 early adolescents (mean age 13.3) and their parents. Adolescents also completed a questionnaire on delinquency. Hierarchical regression analyses show that combinations of adolescents' and parents' conflict resolution styles are significantly related to delinquency. In adolescent-father relationships, the demand-withdraw pattern was found to be related to delinquency, and in adolescent-mother relationships the interaction characterized by mutual hostility was found to be related to delinquency. The results stress the interdependence of adolescents and parents in conflict resolution and demonstrate the need for investigating combinations of adolescents' and parents' conflict resolution styles.

Toward Developing Laboratory-Based Parent–Adolescent Conflict Discussion Tasks that Consistently Elicit Adolescent Conflict-Related Stress Responses: Support from Physiology and Observed Behavior

“…For example, to better understand what aspects of conflict may be linked to maladjustment, sequential analyses of both parent and adolescent would be useful to map the time course of increased and decreased arousal on the discussion content and process. In the current investigation, we chose to focus on adolescents’ physiology and behavior, given the robust risk parent-adolescent conflict poses for negative outcomes in youth (Dmitrieva, Chen, Greenberger, & Gil-Rivas, 2004; Duncan, Duncan, Biglan, & Ary, 1998; Klahr, Rueter, McGue, Iacono, & Burt, 2011; Van Doorn et al, 2008; Weymouth et al, 2016), yet understanding the sequence and timing of parent statements and adolescent response, and vice versa, may potentially inform future interventions for strategies to reduce the negative impact of conflict. Finally, our small sample size prohibited us from testing whether results varied by other potential individual differences beyond baseline conflict, such as adolescent gender or racial and ethnic background.…”

“…Dysfunctional conflict resolution styles evoke negative emotions for which their intensity and duration interfere with positive outcomes (e.g., successful problem-solving; Beauchaine, 2015; Moed et al, 2015) and pose risk for psychopathology (Crowell et al, 2013; Richmond, Mermelstein, & Wakschlag, 2013; Van der Giessen et al, 2015). Disagreement and hostility displayed within parent-adolescent conflict interactions predict negative outcomes in youth (Buehler, 2006; Laursen & Hafen, 2010; Van Doorn, Branje, & Meeus, 2008; Weymouth, Buehler, Zhou, & Henson, 2016). Thus, adolescent hostile behavior is a useful indicator of a maladaptive conflict management strategy linked to poor outcomes (Van Doorn et al, 2008; Weymouth et al, 2016).…”

“…Disagreement and hostility displayed within parent-adolescent conflict interactions predict negative outcomes in youth (Buehler, 2006; Laursen & Hafen, 2010; Van Doorn, Branje, & Meeus, 2008; Weymouth, Buehler, Zhou, & Henson, 2016). Thus, adolescent hostile behavior is a useful indicator of a maladaptive conflict management strategy linked to poor outcomes (Van Doorn et al, 2008; Weymouth et al, 2016). Overall, a proper controlled observation of parent-adolescent conflict should involve constructing a task that robustly elicits behavioral and physiological signs of such conflict.…”

Intraindividual Variability in Adolescents’ Perceived Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Daily Conflict

“…This questionnaire, originally designed for couples, was modified so that it referred to parents and adolescents. This measure has shown validity in studies on parent-adolescent relationships and friendships De Wied et al 2007;Van Doorn et al 2008). Each style was measured by one item that was a composite of the original items.…”

The dynamics of personality and identity in adolescence

“…The last item included the option "other," which adolescents could use to fill out an additional conflict topic not covered by the list. Similar to previous studies (e.g., van Doorn, Branje, & Meeus, 2008), we averaged the 35 items to compute mean scores for conflict with fathers and mothers. Reliability was high for early to middle and middle to late adolescents, with…”