Developmental Changes in Conflict Resolution Styles in Parent–Adolescent Relationships: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Study

Abstract

In this study, changes in three conflict resolution styles in parent–adolescent relationships were investigated: positive problem solving, conflict engagement, and withdrawal. Questionnaires about these conflict resolution styles were completed by 314 early adolescents (M = 13.3 years; 50.6% girls) and both parents for four consecutive years. Adolescents’ reported use of positive problem solving increased with mothers, but did not change with fathers. Fathers reported an increase of positive problem solving with adolescents, whereas mothers reported no change. Adolescents’ use of conflict engagement was found to temporarily increase with mothers, but showed no change with fathers. Mothers and fathers reported a decrease in conflict engagement with adolescents. Adolescents’ use of withdrawal with parents increased, although this increase was temporarily with mothers. Mothers reported no change in withdrawal, whereas fathers’ use of withdrawal increased. Generally, we found that both adolescents and their parents changed in their use of conflict resolution from early to middle adolescence. These results show that conflict resolution in parent–adolescent relationships gradually change in favor of a more horizontal relationship.

Parent Training Based on the Choice Theory: Analysis of its Impact on Mothers’ Sense of Self-efficacy and their Conflicts with their Daughters

“…The results showed the correlation at significant level of 0.01 in total scores of 0.31 and 0.39 for conflict frequency and intensity (12). Validity of Robin and Foster research (1989) which showed the ability of conflict behavior questionnaire in splitting the families with and without clinical problems, supported the differential validity of this tool (6).…”

“…This scale is graded based on Likert scale and the individuals' score is graded as conflict intensity average in conflicted subject from 0 (Calm) to 5 (angry). Conflict behavior questionnaire is for teenager's parents and the higher score shows more conflict between teenager and parents (6).…”

“…The conceptions of invulnerability, numerous information resources accessibility, and change in him/her perception about parental power (4) which had been ideal and faultless, with a desire for independence in spite of dependency to parents, according to Hall , would lead to a period of emotional pressure that causes conflicts between generations (2). Conflicts like disagreement and argument are the most significant interactions in this period (4,5), which would disturb the equilibrium of the family system and make other members of the family to act differently for maintaining equilibrium that might be ineffective (6). In other words, passing this difficult changes would challenge both the adolescent and parents, conflict parents who are unaware of adolescence characteristics and its difficulties as well as their children and also the Copyright © 2017, Razavi International Journal of Medicine.…”

A Study of Food Consumption Patterns of and Obesity in Female Adolescents in Khorramshahr High Schools

“…These patterns usually start at adolescence and continue into adulthood (3). Changes during adolescence, such as an increasing sense of independence and autonomy (4) and accelerating rate of growth, are some of the risk factors related to the development of inappropriate food patterns and consequently overweight and obesity (5).…”

Erica Frydenberg: Adolescent Coping: Advances in Theory, Research, and Practice

“…Negative family characteristics include poverty, separation, and child abuse in contrast to protective qualities such as living in a small, nuclear family and support from extended family. A mother-daughter study found that daughters copied the coping styles of their mothers; but, despite Frydenberg's claim of causality, it would have benefitted her to conduct such an experiment across all parent-child relationships instead of mother-daughter exclusively, such as those between mother and son or father and son, given that we know that there may be important differences in how adolescents resolve conflict with parents (see Van Doorn et al 2011). It also would have been important given the significance of gender differences in factors contributing to positive youth development (see O'Connor et al 2011;Rueger et al 2010).…”