KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Psychosociological Research in Family and Culture 3041-8550 3 Serial Number 12 2025 12 01 Identifying Generational Gaps in Emotional Expression among Youth and Parents Identifying Generational Gaps in Emotional Expression among Youth and Parents 1 11 EN Journal Article 2025 08 10 <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to explore the generational gaps in emotional expression between youth and their parents, focusing on differences in communication styles, regulation strategies, and cultural influences within Canadian families.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>A qualitative research design was employed using an interpretive phenomenological approach to capture participants’ lived experiences of emotional communication across generations. The study involved 20 participants from Canada, including 10 adolescents aged 15–20 years and 10 parents aged 40–55 years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo 14. Theoretical saturation guided the sampling process, and themes were identified through iterative coding and constant comparison.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>Five major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) emotional communication styles, highlighting contrasts between direct and indirect expression; (2) cultural and social influences, emphasizing the interplay of traditional and contemporary emotional norms; (3) emotional awareness and vocabulary, revealing differences in emotional literacy between generations; (4) family dynamics and relationship quality, identifying emotional distance and mismatched support expectations; and (5) coping and adaptation across generations, showing gradual mutual adjustment through empathy and communication.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Generational differences in emotional expression reflect broader cultural, psychological, and developmental shifts within families. While these gaps may cause miscommunication and emotional tension, they also provide opportunities for intergenerational learning and resilience through dialogue, empathy, and shared emotional growth.</p> https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jprfc/article/download/4830/8687