Parent-adolescent conflict in Central Appalachia the effects of parental authority, familism, conformity, and autonomy /

by Gerbus, Valerie Lynn.

Parent­Adolescent Conflict in Central Appalachia: The Effects of Parental Authority, Familism, Conformity, and Autonomy by Valerie L. Gerbus This paper explores the effects of four types of parental authority (i.e., expert, legitimate, reward, and coercive) as well as familism, adolescent conformity, and autonomy on parent­adolescent conflict in Central Appalachia. This paper explores the research question of whether family socialization climates either foster or discourage conflict within the parent­adolescent relationship. Results were analyzed via multiple regression analysis of four models (i.e., motherdaughter, mother­son, father­daughter, and father­son dyads). There was a decrease in parentadolescent conflict when daughters perceived their mothers as having expert authority. There was an increase in parent­adolescent conflict when fathers were perceived as having coercive authority. Reward authority served to decrease parent­adolescent conflict for father­daughter dyads. A greater sense of familism decreased parent­adolescent conflict with daughters and conformity decreased parent­adolescent conflict for sons. Autonomy from mothers inhibited conflict for both sons and daughters, while autonomy from fathers inhibited conflict for sons. Parent­Adolescent Conflict in Central Appalachia: The Effects of Parental Authority, Familism, Conformity, and Autonomy A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of Family Studies and Social Work by Valerie Lynn Gerbus Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2007 Advisor ____________________________________ Dr. Kevin R. Bush Reader _____________________________________ Dr. Charles B. Hennon Reader ______________________________________ Dr. Gray W. Peterson