A Naturalistic View of Conflict between Adolescents and their Parents and Siblings

Reports of conflict between adolescents and their parents and siblings were obtained from tenth-graders through interviews conducted over the telephone. The highest levels of conflict were found for the mother adolescent and same-sex sibling relationship, while few conflicts were reported with fathers. Most arguments with parents and siblings were about interpersonal issues and a minority concerned rule enforcement. Withdrawal was the most common conflict resolution technique found with parents and siblings. The results of this study show that disagreements with parents and siblings are equally frequent, largely about the same issues, and resolved in similar ways. These findings cast doubt on the notion that quarrels with parents are really about independence, and support the view that they are simply instances of general interpersonal conflict, which occur whenever the actions of one person interfere with the actions of another.