The Relationship Between Self-Differentiation and Anxiety of COVID-19 Disease in Adolescents Mediated by Parent-Child Conflict

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-differentiation and anxiety of COVID-19 disease in adolescents mediated by parent-child conflict. Method: The research method was descriptive-correlational and the statistical population of the study included all high school students in the spring of 2020 in Tehran. Through convenient sampling, 240 people were selected online through WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. Research instruments included the Conflict Tactics Scale (‎Straus, 1974), Self-differentiation questionnaire (Scorn & Smith, 2003), and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (Alipour, Ghadami, Alipour & Abdollahzadeh, 2019). The data of the present study were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: In the present study, the direct path coefficient between self-differentiation and anxiety of COVID-19 disease was positive (β = 0.620, P = 0.001). The indirect pathway coefficient between self-differentiation and anxiety of COVID-19 disease mediated by mother-child conflict resolution styles was positive (β = 0.073, P = 0.001). The indirect pathway coefficient between self-differentiation and anxiety of COVID-19 disease mediated by father-child conflict resolution styles was positive (β=0.095, P= 0.001). Conclusion: Given that communication with parents during adolescence is still highly effective, paying attention to more consistent interactions can reduce adolescent anxiety, especially in the context of this disease.