The changes in the relationship between the interviewee and their parent or guardian could have been caused by a variety of factors. A critical discussion of these causes involves considering developmental, psychological, social, and contextual influences:
- Developmental Changes:
- As children grow into adolescence and adulthood, they seek greater autonomy and independence. This natural developmental stage often leads to conflicts with parents or guardians as both parties renegotiate their roles and boundaries.
- Life transitions such as moving out, starting a new school, beginning a career, or entering into a new life phase can shift priorities and responsibilities, impacting the relationship dynamics.
- Communication and Interaction:
- Changes or breakdowns in communication styles can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Differences in how emotions, needs, or perspectives are expressed and responded to can strain the relationship.
- Emotional validation or invalidation plays a key role. Lack of emotional acceptance and support from either side can contribute to relational distance.
- Life Events and Stressors:
- Significant life events like divorce, death in the family, remarriage, or financial struggles can cause stress that disrupts family harmony.
- Parental stress, mental health issues, or substance abuse can impair parenting quality and in turn, affect the relationship with the child.
- Trauma or unresolved conflicts can also create ongoing tension.
- Changes in Beliefs, Values, and Expectations:
- As individuals mature, they may develop beliefs and values that differ from those of their parents or guardians, creating potential conflict.
- Mismatches between parental expectations and the child's competencies or behaviors can lead to negative interactions.
- Family and Social Environment:
- Family adaptability, communication patterns, and the social environment (e.g., peer influences, economic pressures) all contribute to the quality of parent-child relationships.
- Changes in family structure, such as the addition of siblings or the entrance of stepfamilies, can alter dynamics.
These factors interact in complex ways to cause shifts in the relationship between a child (or interviewee) and their parent or guardian. The transition toward more egalitarian, interdependent relationships during adolescence and adulthood requires both parties to adapt, often leading to temporary or lasting changes in the relationship quality and dynamics. In summary, changes in the relationship could result from developmental growth, communication issues, life stresses, evolving values, and family or social environmental influences. Understanding these factors critically helps explain the multifaceted nature of evolving parent-child relationships. This discussion synthesizes insights from psychological research, family studies, and developmental theory on parent-child relationship changes.
