Adolescents' perceptions of communication with parents relative to specific aspects of relationships with parents and personal development

Abstract

Adolescents' views of communication with their parents are examined in relation to measures of family satisfaction, adolescent decision-making and disagreement with parents (Study I), and to measures of self-esteem, well-being and coping (Study II). The results provide some support for the psychometric qualities of the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS) and suggest that good family communication is associated with satisfaction with the family and with lack of disagreement between adolescents and parents. They also indicate a positive association between family communication and adolescent self-esteem, certain aspects of adolescent well-being and type of coping strategy employed.