Conflict and conflict resolution: parent and young teen perceptions

The purpose of this preliminary study was to describe a novel approach to examine the thinking of parents and young teens about conflict and conflict resolution in their relationship. The novel approach was that teens and parents were asked to solve, in focus groups, a hypothetical conflict situation without, and then with, a structured conflict resolution guide.

Two focus groups were conducted. The resulting data were analyzed with use of content analysis from a sample of 8 parent-young teen dyads. The young teens and their parents participated separately from one another in the focus groups.

Data demonstrated that the young teens (a) thought parents or siblings initiated most disagreements and that such disagreements were routine, and (b) handled conflict with their parents by trying to prevent it. If a conflict ensued, they used emotion, aggression, cooling off, accepting some of the blame, or submission to resolve it. Parents viewed the disagreements as (a) representing their struggles with their role as a parent or (b) opportunities to instill a sense of intrinsic responsibility in their child. Parents used the strategies of setting clear expectations, parental authority, negotiation, cooling down, and feedback to solve disagreements with their teenage children.

We concluded that these parents and young teens do not use a systematic method of solving disagreements but that with structured guidance, the parents and teens were able to resolve conflicts.