You aren't alone! Many families struggle with proper encouragement.
The best way to encourage your teens to be open to you about their feelings is to constantly allow them to openly express their ideas to you. Additionally, according to a study by Botta, 2009, using a democratic parenting style through using ideas from all family members is positively correlated to your teen having a positive self concept. Don't worry, conflict within families is normal and expected, however how the family resolves this conflict, and how quickly this resolution comes is what can be crucial in protecting your teen from developing body-image issues. If possible, try to use the compromising and collaborating styles of conflict resolution! This way, your child will feel empowered and develop problem solving skills while maintaining a positive image of themselves!
Open communication with your child is key! |
Families are known to have 5 different styles of conflict
1. Avoiding conflicts - both you and your child tend to use emotional retreats, and focus on brushing the conflict under the rug, and disclosing as little information as possible. Using avoiding conflicts style could be a risk factor for your teen developing anorexia, as they will avoid talking to you about their body-image issues. 2. Accommodating or Obliging style - This style puts the focus on maintaining the relationship by giving in to the other person, regardless on what you or your child wants. If your teen just gives in to your demands in an argument, look for anorexic behaviors as it can be qualified by submissiveness and compliance. 3. Confronting or Dominating style - This leaves room for little flexibility in an argument, and one person (usually the teen!) concerns are not listened to in order to get what the other party wants. Conflicts under this style tend to escalate into blowouts. In general, families with bulimic teens tend to be a hostile environment filled with this kind of conflict. 4. Compromising style - This style gives both you and your teen a piece of what each wants. This empowers both you as a parent and them. This style is good in protecting your child from body-image issues! 5. Collaborating style - This is an active style where both you and your teen redefines the conflict so that you can find a solution that works for both of you. This is another style that can empower both you and your teen. This style is also good in protecting your teen from developing body-image issues! |