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The Meaning of Good Parent–Child Relationships for Mexican American Adolescents
Author(s) -
Crockett Lisa J.,
Brown Jill,
Russell Stephen T.,
Shen YuhLing
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of research on adolescence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.342
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1532-7795
pISSN - 1050-8392
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2007.00539.x
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , meaning (existential) , perception , social psychology , parental control , grounded theory , mexican americans , qualitative research , ethnic group , social science , neuroscience , sociology , anthropology , psychotherapist
Perceptions of good parent–adolescent relationships were explored among 19 Mexican American high school students aged 14–17 who participated in focus group interviews on what it means for Mexican American teenagers to have good relationships with parents. Using a grounded theory approach, five general themes emerged in the responses, corresponding to open communication, instrumental and emotional support, indirect expressions of caring, parental control, and valued relationship qualities. Both genders described distinct relationships with mothers and fathers. Relationships with mothers were closer and more open than relationships with fathers, and mothers were seen as being more affectionate, lenient, and emotionally supportive, whereas fathers tended to express caring indirectly by providing instrumental and financial support and by just being there. Parental upbringing, culture, gender, and parental role expectations emerged as explanations for parents' behavior. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.