Identifying the Optimistic and Pessimistic Attributions of the Mothers in Relation to the Adolescent

The aim of this study was to identifying the optimistic and pessimistic attributions of the mothers in relation to the adolescent. The study used a qualitative design and employed purposive sampling method to selected 10 mothers with adolescent children aged from 12 to 18 years. The semi-structured face-to-face interview was used to collect the data and the data analysis was performed by six-step thematic analysis method. The results showed that optimism was seeing the positive points through the lens of an optimistic mind, while pessimism included seeing the negative points through the lens of a pessimistic mind. Moreover, optimism facilitated a good and effective parent-teenager relationship, optimistic attribution (continuation، reason and personalization) and parenting challenges. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that when a mother adopts optimistic attribution in communicating with her teenager, there is constructive relationship between teenager and mother and much more satisfaction and peace happens between them and they face less parenting challenges. On the other hand, adopting pessimistic attribution can result in confusion and anger in teenager and dissatisfaction and lack of peace and tension are among its negative outcomes. Therefore, mothers’ familiarity with optimistic and pessimistic attributions plays an important role in constructive relationships with adolescents.