Journal des soins infirmiers et des soins

Parenting Experiences and the Need for Parent Education Programs among Parents of Adolescents in Korea

Abstract

Heeseung Choi and Sumi Kim

Objective: The specific aims of the present study were to explore the parenting experiences of those with 11 to 15 year old children, and the experiences of professionals working with both adolescents and their parents, in order to assess the need for parent education programs.

Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design. Data were collected through individual and focus group interviews with parents of adolescents and mental health professionals that work with both adolescents and parents. Interviews were conducted at participants’ homes, workplaces, cafés, or local community meeting rooms. The interviews lasted for half an hour to 2 hours and were audio-taped. Qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis.

Results: A total of 27 parents (2 fathers, 25 mothers) and 9 mental health professionals (1 male, 8 female) participated in the study. As parents recognize their child’s developmental changes during adolescence, parents also go through a variety of feelings related to this transition. These were categorized into four main themes: “standing in the midst of numerous discrepancies,” “outside my child’s closed door,” “over-identifying myself with, yet distancing myself from, my child,” and “feeling ambivalent.” The present study also demonstrated parents’ need for structured, interactive, and accessible parent education programs that provide an opportunity for self-reflection on their parental experiences, and not just simply deliver knowledge and parenting skills.

Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed several challenges experienced by Korean parents with 11 to 15 year old children. Unsuccessful management of these challenges was found to result in the onset of negative emotions and thoughts, and the development of parent–child conflicts. In order to better promote the parent–child relationship and the mental health of children during their transition to adolescence, effective and accessible parent education programs that reflect the needs and expectations of parents are required.