A Narrative Inquiry on the Parent-Child Relationships of Higher-Weight Late Adolescents

• Main Authors: Dang, Hien Anh Miguel G., Panes, David Rigel Dela Cruz, Alemania, Belle Beatriex' M.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: late adolescence; parental influence; higher-weight; parent-child relationship; coping mechanisms; Developmental Psychology; Family, Life Course, and Society; Health Psychology; Social and Cultural Anthropology; Social Work
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/sinaya/vol3/iss2/1; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/sinaya/article/1146/viewcontent/_Final_Proof__S_E_Manuscript_1.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Late adolescence is a crucial developmental phase marked by significant psychological and emotional changes as individuals transition from childhood to adulthood. However, the specific impact of parental influence on the body image of higher-weight adolescents remains underexplored. This narrative study aimed to examine the parent-child relationship of higher-weight Filipino adolescents, delving more into how parental opinions influence late adolescents' well-being and perception of their bodies. To answer the objective, a qualitative method through semi-structured interview was employed where four participants were chosen by conducting purposive and snowball sampling. Various themes emerged, mainly struggles with body weight acceptance and insecurities, internalizing negative body weight comments from parents, parental impact on body image, and coping mechanisms utilized. The results revealed the importance of parental attitudes and behavior in honing adolescents' perceptions and overall well-being. Positive parent-child interactions defined by warmth, support, and open communication cultivate better psychological well-being, while negative remarks and pressure can cause body dissatisfaction and mental distress. Despite this, adolescents use different coping mechanisms, such as music, humor, and studying, to mitigate the impact of criticisms. These discoveries shed light and offered valuable insights into the complexity of the relationship between parents and children, the significance of open communication, and the implementation of parenting strategies to foster growth and psychological well-being at this vital stage of development.