Parent-adolescent conflict in Egypt and United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at exploring the frequency and intensity of parent-adolescent conflict within Egyptian families living in Egypt and those living in a Gulf country [Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates]. Two Arab countries were studied [Egypt and United Arab Emirates]. We examined everyday conflicts for the past 4 weeks between 400 Egyptian children in early adolescence [aged 10-15 years] and their parents [200 Egyptian adolescents living with their parents in Egypt and 200 Egyptian adolescents living with their parents in United Arab Emirates]. The frequency and intensity of conflicts were assessed using an Arabic translated version of the Parent Issues Checklist, which consists of a list of 44 items that can possibly lead to disagreements between parents and adolescents. Fighting with sibling ranked as the most frequent adolescent-parent conflict issue both in Egypt and UAE. Adolescent-parent conflict issues of highest intensity were using drugs, telephone calls and watching TV in Egypt compared with telephone calls and who friends should be and watching TV in UAE. Outcome of most adolescent-parent conflicts was mainly concession of adolescent to parents in Egypt [92%] and to a much lesser extent in UAE [56%]. Concession of parents was much more observed as an outcome for adolescent-parent conflicts in UAE [26%] than Egypt [6%]. A significant positive correlation between frequency of adolescent-parent conflict issues and income of family as well as age of the adolescent in both Egypt and UAE. A significant negative correlation is present between duration of attained education by parents and frequency of adolescent-parent conflict issues. It is to be noted that mother's length of education correlated negatively with frequency of conflict more than that of the father [r=-0.328 vs. -0.310 in Egypt and-0.347 vs. -0.305 in UAE]. Pattern of conflict is affected by socioeconomic status, age of parents and growth of the adolescent. Parents' education, especially maternal education is a favorable factor toward minimizing parent-adolescent conflict. Primary prevention efforts should focus on avoiding the identified reasons and patterns of dispute between parents and their adolescent children in addition to spreading an atmosphere of harmony within the family between parents and their children. This can be achieved through carrying out mental health educational programs. Mothers should actively participate in all these mental health educational programs