Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Michael Pratt

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

Adolescent openness to the parental viewpoint, as assessed through a narrative methodology, was tested as a longitudinal predictor of adolescent adjustment. Thirty adolescents (14 females, 16 males) were asked to describe their parents’ perspective on matters considered important to their values and development. These narratives were scored via a newly developed ‘parent voice’ measure, which quantitatively rates the degree of openness and respect the adolescent extends to the parental viewpoint. Parent voice scores significantly predicted adolescent adjustment four years later. Furthermore, the findings suggest voice may be mediating the positive relationship between authoritative parenting and subsequent adolescent adjustment. The quality of the parent-child relationship, as measured by the voice, attachment, and parenting style measures, and its link to adolescent adjustment are discussed.

Convocation Year

2000

Convocation Season

Fall

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