Parent and Child Communication Article Review

Keijsers, L., & Poulin, F. (2013, March 11). Developmental changes in parent -- child communication throughout adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 49(12), 2301-2308. doi:10.1037/a0032217 The science of Developmental Psychology purposes and endeavors to elucidate the change that comes about in both children and adults in the course of time. I have decided to focus and lay emphasis on this topic as the most change takes place in the course of a person's lifespan during this particular period (Mcleod, 2012).

Further, the topic "Developmental changes in parent-child communication throughout adolescence," lays emphasis on the individual changes and variations in the patterns of change between the association that exists between the child and the parent in the course of adolescence. Particularly important is the fact that any individual during its infancy is largely attached to the parent and therefore communicates a lot. However, according to this topic, it is delineated that the attachment and level of communication decreases during the phase of adolescence (Keijsers and Poulin, 2013).

In addition, this particular topic encompasses not only psychological but also social influences experienced by teenagers in this developmental phase and their changing relationship with their parents (Tilton-Weaver, 2014). The main role in the article that has been that of a professional development psychologist. The professional studies human development of an individual, which encompasses the mental, social and physiological development that comes about at every stage of life.

The professional developmental psychologist has studied the genetic effects experienced by the adolescent in such a phase, in addition to different environmental aspects like parental methods, which fashion how such adolescents evolve. The article does not refer to the interaction between psychology professional and professionals in other fields. Instead, the article explores the phenomenon of adolescent behavior in this phase in terms of hiding information from their parents and the need of intervention of a professional behavioral analyst, who tries to analyze such behavior through this significant life development phase.

One of the theoretical perspectives addressed in the article is that of autonomy relatedness. This perspective asserts that healthy independent development can be realized only by repositioning the prevailing relationship between the parent and the child while remaining attached to parents. This topic is of particular interest as it delves into the psychological and mental aspects that delineate the behavior of adolescents in that particular period of development (Racz and Mcmahon, 2011).

From this particular perspective, disengagement from communication can be employed as a tactical component for renegotiating and readjusting their association in the direction of an unfettered arrangement that is less controlling and more unrestricted (Hawk et al., 2008).

However, a key aspect that is understood is that in the prospective readjustment of the relationship, it is still imperative to attain a way of communication with each other that enables and eases recognizing the needs of the adolescent to be independent but at the same time improve the connection and affiliation between them (Keijsers and Poulin, 2013). Hypotheses Presented The study presents the hypothesis that parental knowledge and attempts at monitoring would decline in the course of adolescence.

Another hypothesis made in the study is that, from middle adolescence straight on, disclosure would yet again be on the rise, and secrecy would decline. An additional projection of the study is that girls would report greater exposure levels, parental understanding, and parental solicitation and control and lesser general levels of secrecy than boys and that the girls would report a lesser noticeable variation in their sincerity to their parents in middle adolescence (Keijsers & Poulin, 2013).

Samples Presented The selected participants of the study encompassed 390 students, all in the sixth grade, studying in eight elementary schools situated in a largely French-speaking school district in Canada. Written consent was obtained from the parents of the participants in order to be included in the study. From this population, roughly three-quarters of them took part in the study. In addition, 90% of these participating students were European Canadians. 72% of them came from a household where they lived with both biological parents.

The sample of the participants was predominantly middle class and had an average income ranging between 45,000 and $55,000 Canadian dollars. Eight years subsequent to the study, 320 participants were still taking part in the study, representing 81% of the sample. 1.7% of the students aged 17 years, 5.2% aged 18 years and lastly 9.9% aged 19 years lived on their own. However, most of them lived with either one or two parents in the course of the study (Keijsers & Poulin, 2013).

Where Study Was Conducted The study was conducted in the school setting and particularly eight elementary schools situated in a huge French-speaking school district in Canada. Ethical Concerns A key ethical concern is whether the students' data and information provided is kept confidential and not disclosed to the parents, to respect their privacy.

Summary of Results The overall purpose of this research study was to observe the manner in which parents and students make adjustments to their parent-child communication in the course of the process of rearranging their relationship between the ages of 12 and 19 years (child age). Results of the study support the hypotheses presented in the study. In agreement with the hypotheses, early adolescents reported a decline in their readiness to divulge concerns, and early adolescent girls too, reported a decline in parental solicitation and a rise in secrecy.

In agreement with anticipations, from middle adolescence to further periods, adolescents reported intensely deteriorating parental control. What is more, girls reported the hypothesized more unrestricting form of communication from middle adolescence onward, as indicated by amassing disclosure and solicitation, and diminishing secrecy. In addition, the results of the study supported the hypotheses in the sense that parental knowledge progressively declined in the course of adolescence (Keijsers & Poulin, 2013).

Results of the study also found gender differences in the sense that girl participants reported more forceful communication between the parent and child, and also reported a less strong dip in middle adolescence, as proposed in the hypotheses. Since the research study continued for an extended period, results of the study are beneficial to the prevailing literature on the realigning of the relationships between parents and children in three particular ways.

To begin with, the results of the study indicate that alterations in parent-child communication occurs not only during the initial phase of adolescence, but also prevails throughout the middle to late phases of adolescence. Secondly, there was a disparity in timing of fluctuations in the behavior of parents and children. Third, from the results, there appears to be significant gender dissimilarities in parent -- child communication in the culminating phase of adolescence (Keijsers & Poulin, 2013).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Study One of the strengths of the research study is that it considers previous research results, undertakes a more extensive research study that goes beyond eight years after the initiation of the study. Despite its strong suits, there are weaknesses for the study. To begin with, the study employed reports of adolescents on both parents. This did not take account of the likelihood to test for the father-mother variances in forms of communication.

In turn, it fails to give a resolve on the issues as to whether gender dissimilarities are perhaps impacted by father-mother variances. Utilizing parental accounts of the similar behaviors may offer a dissimilar perception on these practices. Another limitation is that the study utilized an equally identical sample of adolescents generally from European-Canadian origin and emanating from a distinct geographical region. The present conclusions should be replicated with more culturally and financially varied samples.

Possible Contemporary Application of Results The possible application of the results in the contemporary encompasses understanding developmental changes amongst both male and female adolescents and ascertaining how parents can cope and adjust to such changes throughout the adolescent period. Conclusion In conclusion, Keijsers & Poulin (2013) undertake a research study that observes the manner in which parents and students make adjustments in their communication in the course of the process of rearranging their relationship between the ages of 12 and 19 years.

The research study is undertaken in an extensive and professional way in that it obtains written consent from the parents. The outcomes of the study are in tandem with the hypotheses; early adolescents reported a decline in their readiness to divulge and early adolescent girls also reported a decline in parental solicitation and a rise in secrecy. Week 6 Discussion 1 The selected show is Dr. Phil TV Show. This American talk show that is presented by Dr. Phil Mcgraw who is the host.

The show provides advice and counsel to individuals in the form of life approaches based on the experience of Dr. Phil as a clinical and forensic psychologist. Based on your reading and study of the science of psychology across the course, there is no validity or reliability of the information. This is because Dr. Phil is no longer a psychologist and is not licensed anymore. The presentation of the content.