Parent-adolescent communication in nondistressed families

The focus of this chapter is parent and adolescent communication in nondistressed families. Communication is the assertive and unoffensive expression and accurate and attentive receipt of opinions, feelings, and ideas. Aspects of adolescent and adult development have been shown to influence as well as be influenced by perceptions of family communication. Though recently subject to extensive scrutiny and criticism, the paradigm of parent and adolescent conflict dominates this research area. Nurses and other have demonstrated strategies to enhance communication between parent and adolescents, with promising results. Issues of subject participation are reviewed and recommendations for future directions in research and practice are made.