African female adolescents experience of parenting and their sense of well-being

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore and describe South African, African female adolescents' experience of parent-adolescent relationships and their perceptions of the influence of the parent-adolescent relationship on aspects of their sense of well-being. Sixty-two African female adolescents were participants. Data on experiences of parenting and their sense of well-being were collected using graphic family sculpting techniques (with 30 adolescents) and focus group interviews (with 32 adolescents). Data were analyzed thematically. The findings suggest that the majority of the participants experience a more positive relationship with their mother than with their father. Relationship qualities that seem to be important to the teenagers' experiences of parenting and their sense of well-being include communication, loving, caring and supportive parenting, honesty and trust, quality time together, and discipline. Communication is of particular importance for the quality of the parent-adolescent relationship.