Exploration of Adolescents' Lived Experiences of Parental Misunderstanding: A Phenomenological Study

The challenge of understanding adolescents is an inherent aspect of contemporary parent-adolescent relationships. This research aims to investigate adolescents' lived experiences of parental misunderstanding using a qualitative approach and phenomenological method. Participants consisted of 15 to 18-year-old adolescent boys and girls from Sabzevar city during the summer of 2023, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 14 participants, reaching theoretical saturation. Findings, analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-stage phenomenological analysis, identified 36 sub-themes and 4 main themes: "Generational Gap," "Loss of Independence," "Lack of Support," and "Inadequate Connection," revealing adolescents' experiences of parental misunderstanding. The results not only enhance insights into current parent-adolescent dynamics but also provide a foundation for practical interventions and programs to improve these relationships.