Parent-Child Relational Problem
What is the Parent-Child Relational Problem?
Do you have trouble with your parent or child, but do not know why? The Parent-Child Relational Problem serves to describe the difficulties created between a child and a parent often communication and challenging interactions. Such problem can occur at any time during the child’s development however, it is more likely to occur during adolescence.
It is important to note that the “parent” is whoever is considered as their primary caregiver.
It is important to note that such problem is not considered a mental disorder however, some behaviors that can be found or created because of the conflict can result and be associate with other psychiatric conditions. Such problem tends to rather be associated with impaired functioning in behavioral, cognitive, or affective domains. For example, there is an inadequate parental control, supervision or there is a lack of involvement with the child. Also, there may tend to be arguments that escalate to the point where there may be threats of physical violence as well as negative attributions of the other’s intentions may be involved. Furthermore, affective problems may include, but are not limited to feelings of sadness, or anger, for example, towards the other individual that may be part of the relationship.
What causes such problem?
To this day, there is not a concrete known cause yet. However, the following are risk factors that are thought to influence the relationships built between a parent and a child:
- Family conflict
- Lack of structure & discipline
- Too much parental control
- Marital conflict
- Divorce or separation. However, the parents’ ability to cope with the change will affect the way the child copes the situation on his own
- Maternal depression (i.e. postpartum depression)
- If the mother experiences such depression, the child has a higher risk of development, emotional, and behavioral problems
- Father involvement
- Positive cognitive, developmental, and socio-behavioral child outcomes are associated with the visible and nurturing presence of the father
- Poverty
- Neglect or abandonment
- Residential instability
- A chronically ill or disabled child
- An undiagnosed psychological or developmental problem (i.e. ADHD, autism)
- Fragile emotional temperament in the child
- Large families
- Family stress (i.e. working parents, household chores, job dissatisfaction)
- Peer pressures
- Violence at home
- Trauma (i.e. child abuse)
- Parental illness, physical illness, alcohol, substance abuse or re-marriage/stepfamilies
What are the symptoms of such problem occurring?
- Lack of communication
- Yelling
- Lack of respect for one another and constantly interrupting one another
- Verbal aggression
- Physical abuse
How can my relationship with my parent or child improve? How can it be managed?
- Seek treatment such as psychological treatment, family therapy, engage in relaxation techniques
- Receive parental education and training
- Help yourself
- Seek social support
- Marriage guidance
- Seek prevention program
- May enhance co-parental relationship, parental mental health, parent-child relationship, and infant emotional and physiological regulation
Posted: March 4, 2018 by VCCounseling
Persistent Depressive Disorder
What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?
The National Institute of Mental health estimates that such disorder affects 1.5% of the adult population in the United States and about 11.2% of the population between 13 to 18 years of age. Although it is not as severe as major depression, Persistent Depressive Disorder or dysthymia, is a chronic ongoing type of depression. Individuals who have such disorder lose interest in their daily life activities and in most cases, they also have a hard time being “upbeat” even when a happy occasion is presented. It is important to note that such feelings can last for years and that it is believed that girls are more likely to experience any type of depressive disorder than boys.
Other symptoms:
It is also important to note that such symptoms can cause a significant impairment on individuals and that they usually come and go over a period of years. However, systems usually don’t tend to disappear for more than two months.
What causes Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Although there is not one known exact cause, it is believed that biological differences, brain chemistry, inherited traits, and life events may have an influence in the development of the disorder. It is believed that people who suffer from persistent depressive disorder experience physical changes in their brains. Also, an individual is more likely to develop the disorder if someone in their family has previously been diagnosed with it as well as a loss of a loved one, financial problems, or high stress can also play a role in the development. An individuals’ negativity, their low self-esteem and being too dependent of others may also contribute to the risk factors of such disorders.
What effect does it have in an individual’s life?
How can I reduce the chances of developing Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Although for some people there will not be a way to prevent such disorder, for others there may be. It is important for an individual to take control of the stress they experience and learn how to cope with it. Also, reach out to friends and family, start receiving treatment the moment you begin to see signs, and consider keeping such treatment for a while.
How can it be treated and what can I do for myself?