Fostering connectedness between adolescents and their parents: a game

Includes bibliographical references (pages 25-28)One of the elements that is central to a positive or negative manifestation of behavior in adolescents is the level of connectedness that adolescents perceive as having with their parents. The purpose of this project is to review the research on connectedness as a pivotal element of the relationship that adolescents have with their parents, and its implications upon their adjustment to society as a whole and their personal health. This will be done by looking at research findings regarding what connectedness is, cultural and gender influences on connectedness, the prevalence of a lack of connectedness, factors which influence connectedness and the effects of a high level or low level of connectedness between adolescents and their parents. The research reviewed in this project indicates that the level of connectedness between adolescents and their parents has broad implications upon adolescents??? social as well as psychological health. This project will also examine various methods that can be used to increase the level of connectedness between adolescents and their parents. This project proposes a game that will be specifically developed to increase the connectedness between adolescents and their parents. This game will provide a process for establishing an empathic understanding between adolescents and their parents, and thus increase the level of connectedness within their relationship