An Analysis of Adolescent and Parental Views on the Psychoeducation Program for Coping with Aggressive Behaviors

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the views of parents and adolescents who participated in psychoeducation programs for coping with adolescent aggressive behaviors. Parents who participated in the study were provided with a program known as the “Non-Violent Resistance Parent Program,” and adolescents participated in the “Coping with Violence and Aggression Psychoeducation Program.” Both programs were designed based on systemic family therapy theories. The views of participating parents and adolescents were obtained through a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. The interviews were subsequently analyzed using content analysis methods.

After the programs’ culmination, participants stated that the programs reduced aggressive behaviors seen in adolescents, improved parents' parenting skills and family relationships, and significantly decreased parental inefficacy and stress levels. Results of the analysis of qualitative data obtained from interviews indicated that adolescents and parents generally benefitted from the programs, experienced positive emotions in the process, and gained significant awareness about their interaction styles and those of other family members. It was stated that conducting the two programs simultaneously was very helpful, for the participants reportedly experienced closer familial relationships as well as changes in their approach to problems. On the other hand, the participants noted that the program had some weaknesses: they sometimes had difficulty in expressing themselves and restoring family relationships in the process; fathers’ absence in the program was challenging for them; and the process did not have much contribution to spousal relationships. Based on these results, it is recommended that these programs should be conducted with parental cooperation in all institutions providing service to adolescents, particularly in schools. Both the improvement of parenting skills and the establishment of constructive and warm familial ties have the potential for reducing violent and aggressive behaviors in adolescents.