Investigating the Effect of Virtual Training of Communication Skills to Mothers Based on Interaction Analysis Approach on Girls' Life Satisfaction and Parent-Adolescent Relationship

Abstract

Background: The critical changes and emotional fluctuations associated with puberty often lead to conflicts and communication challenges between adolescents and their parents. Adolescent girls, in particular, tend to experience more conflicts with their parents, especially their mothers, due to the sensitive nature of puberty and the involvement of heightened emotional dimensions. This underscores the importance of educational interventions aimed at improving communication skills to resolve conflicts and enhance parent-adolescent relationships. Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of virtual communication skills training for mothers, utilizing the interaction analysis approach, on the life satisfaction of girls and the quality of parent-adolescent relationships. Methods: This randomized controlled quasi-experimental study employed a parallel design, incorporating pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. The study which was conducted in 2022, involved 66 mothers who were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Participants completed the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Parent-Adolescent Relationship Questionnaire at three time points: Before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month post-intervention. The intervention consisted of eight consecutive weeks of virtual communication skills training using an interaction analysis approach, delivered to the mothers in the intervention group. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: At the study's outset, the two groups were homogeneous regarding demographic variables. The results indicated a significant difference in the mean score of the parent-adolescent relationship in the intervention group, with scores of 67.94 ± 31.04 before the intervention, 126.19 ± 27.25 immediately after, and 93.06 ± 15.02 one month post-intervention (P < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the mean score of life satisfaction in the intervention group, with scores of 15.06 ± 5.35 before the intervention, 26.63 ± 4.63 immediately after, and 22.44 ± 5.06 one month post-intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that virtual training in communication skills for mothers, based on the interaction analysis approach, can enhance girls' life satisfaction and parent-adolescent relationships. Given that "girls' life satisfaction" and "parent-adolescent relationship" are critical psychological components, this approach may be utilized to improve adolescents' mental health and strengthen the relationship between adolescents and their parents. © 2025, Ghaffari et al.