730 – Challenges between Adolescents' Independence and Restriction in Iranian Family

Abstract

Background & Purpose:

Psychological-behavioral development of adolescents depends on regulations and rules of family. In this regard balance between adolescents' independence-restriction is one of the most important and challenging matters. This study conducted to evaluate adolescents and key informants' perceptions and experiences regarding to this challenge.

Material and methods:

This qualitative study was conducted in Sari in the North of Iran. Sixty-seven urban and rural female adolescents between 12-19 years of old participated in 8 focus group discussions. In addition, semi structured interviews were done with 11 key informants. Participants were selected based on purposeful sampling and with maximum variety. All taperecorded data was fully transcribed and thematic analysis was done to identify key themes.

Results:

Findings of this research lead to two main themes including: Family trust to adolescents (adolescents' independence, family supervision, not discrimination between children) and Respect to adolescents (kindness, attention).

Conclusion:

Providing a balance between independence and restriction in teens lead to promotion of self-esteem in adolescents which in turn reinforce her life skills abilities such as decision-making and critical thinking. So it is necessary to promote parents' knowledge and aware teens from family regulations which they must to meet.