Patterns of interaction in the families with an adolescent child and with an adult child

Effective functioning of the family system depends on its ability to adjust to inevitable changes associated with the development of all the members. Patterns of familial communication develop as a child grows up. Adolescence seems to be a period, when a change in the attitude of parents toward their child is required; parents should begin treating the child as an adult. The purpose of the present study was to identify differences in patterns of parents-child interaction at the beginning and at the end of adolescence. Two groups of families were investigated: with an adolescent child (lower secondary school students (“gimnazjum”)) and with an adult child (university students). Experimental method was used to assess patterns of communication and its effi ciency. Factor analysis was employed to reveal basic patterns of interaction. They were associated with the leading role of one of the members. Four different patterns were identifi ed: „child-centred”, „mother-centred”, „father-centred” and without a leader. The patterns occurred irrespective of a family having an adolescent or an adult child. Surprisingly, it was parental education which turned out to be associated with communication pattern. Mothers in „mother-centred” families were signifi cantly better educated than other mothers. Communication in these families was the most effi cient. „Child-centred” pattern was linked with the father’s poor education. Communication in these families was less effi cient. In the present study, patterns of familial communication did not correlate with a child’s age. Perhaps these patterns are not as fl exible as expected. The main conclusion of this study is that probably other factors influence patterns of parents-child interaction.

Effective functioning of the family system depends on its ability to adjust to inevitable changes associated with the development of all the members. Patterns of familial communication develop as a child grows up. Adolescence seems to be a period, when a change in the attitude of parents toward their child is required; parents should begin treating the child as an adult. The purpose of the present study was to identify differences in patterns of parents-child interaction at the beginning and at the end of adolescence. Two groups of families were investigated: with an adolescent child (lower secondary school students (“gimnazjum”)) and with an adult child (university students). Experimental method was used to assess patterns of communication and its effi ciency. Factor analysis was employed to reveal basic patterns of interaction. They were associated with the leading role of one of the members. Four different patterns were identifi ed: „child-centred”, „mother-centred”, „father-centred” and without a leader. The patterns occurred irrespective of a family having an adolescent or an adult child. Surprisingly, it was parental education which turned out to be associated with communication pattern. Mothers in „mother-centred” families were signifi cantly better educated than other mothers. Communication in these families was the most effi cient. „Child-centred” pattern was linked with the father’s poor education. Communication in these families was less effi cient. In the present study, patterns of familial communication did not correlate with a child’s age. Perhaps these patterns are not as fl exible as expected. The main conclusion of this study is that probably other factors influence patterns of parents-child interaction.