Conflict Initiating Factors in Intergenerational Relationships

Authors:

• Yan Bing Zhang (University of Kansas)
• Mei-Chen Lin (Kent State University)

Abstract:
This study examined American young adults' written accounts of intergenerational communication in conflict situations with a focus on factors that initiate conflict. Content analysis of the conflict scenarios in intergenerational relationships revealed seven types of initiating factors (i.e., old-to-young criticism, old-to-young rebuff, disagreement, old-to-young illegitimate demand, young-to-old criticism, young-to-old rebuff, and older adults' inability). Results also indicated that the type of relationship with older adults (family elders versus nonfamily elders) was associated with the frequency distribution of five of the seven initiating factors. Specifically, young adults were criticized and rebuffed by nonfamily elders more frequently than by family elders, whereas young people tended to disagree with and rebuff family elders than to nonfamily elders. Furthermore, young people reported more incidents of illegitimate demand from family elders than from nonfamily elders. Results are discussed with respect to research in intergenerational communication and the Communication Predicament of Aging Model.