Conflict-Initiating Factors in Intergenerational Relationships
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: This study examined American young adults’ written accounts of intergenerational communication with a focus on factors that initiate conflict. Analysis of the conflict scenarios in intergenerational relationships revealed seven types of initiating factors. Results also indicated that the type of relationship with older adults was associated with the frequency distribution of five of the seven initiating factors. Specifically, young adults perceived they were criticized and rebuffed by nonfamily elders more frequently than by family elders, whereas young people tended to disagree with and rebuff family elders more than nonfamily elders. Furthermore, young people reported more incidents of illegitimate demand from family elders than from nonfamily elders. Results are discussed with respect to intergenerational communication research and the communication predicament of aging model.
Authors: Yan Bing Zhang, Mei-Chen Lin
Institutions: University of Kansas, Kent State University
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: University of Pittsburgh
OpenAlex ID: W2140235591