1art1

8/11/2019 1art1

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/1art1 1/10

volume 2, issue 1 www.rjdsp.ro

5

FAMILLY TYPE AND COMMUNICATION STYLE AT

ADOLESCENTS: DIFFERENCES IN PERSONALITY STRUCTURE

Florinda Golu1 ; Mihaela Anca Dina

2

University of Bucharest, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Departament of

Psychology

ABSTRACT

Children and adolescents might be engaged to face some traumatic situation along

their development. These traumatic situations could mark their existence, their personality

and their way of communication with others. A part of the problems they have to face are

normal and they appear in the process of discovering the world and themselves. There are

a series of traumas which can be minimized in to elude a negative effect on the process of

growing. Some of these situations can be: parental separation because of leaving in

another town or country for work, divorce or different types of maltreatment.

This study aims to investigate the effects of parental divorce on teenager’s

personality and their style of communication. For this study we used the results obtained

on two samples of teenagers from divorced families and teens that have both parents.

Also, this study followes the correlation between personality and the style of

communication of teenagers. This study wanted to highlight the difference in the

personality structure of teens from divorced families and teens from families with both

parents. Also, it was investigated the difference in the style of communication of

teenagers, in the way they relate to the others.

KEYWORDS: adolescents; family; divorce; personality; communication style;

relationships

1. INTRODUCTION

Children and adolescents can often learn, during their development, that

traumatic situations can have an impact on building their personality and on the

way of relating and communicating with others. Part of the problematic situations

that may leave marks on their development are normal life situations that occur

1 Florinda GOLU; email: [email protected];

2 Mihaela Anca DINA; email: [email protected];

mailto:[email protected]








8/11/2019 1art1


6

in the processes of development, in the maturation and growth of the individual.

There is, however, a series of traumatic events that may occur during the

development of the individual and can have negative effects, especially in case of

vulnerabilities. This category may include the departure of a parent or both

parents abroad, parental divorce, illness.

This research aims to study the effects of parental divorce on communication

style and personality of adolescents, by comparing the scores of adolescents from

families with both parents and adolescents from divorced families and the

relationship between personality structure and communication style.

The choice of topic was based on our own experience with adolescents from

families separated; we noticed some differences in the way they relate to people

around them, but also different aspects of individual personality.

The effects of divorce on children and adolescents personality is a topic of

interest to psychologists, this being one of the reasons why children and

adolescents come to therapy with various forms of depression or other disorders

after such an event.

Child's emotional balance is closely related to the four major categories of

needs (Muntean & Munteanu, 2009): the need for love and security, the need for

new experiences, the need to be valued and recognized, the need of

responsibilities.

• The need for love and security is paramount for young age, but it provides

the basis for future social relationships with others. Personality develops

harmoniously according to the “quantity and quality” of love received. Love is

what “humanizes“ the sense of security and “feeds” the family.

• The need for new experiences is responsible for the intellectual

development of the child. Exploring the world around, negociation and

cooperation are opportunities to boost cognitive abilities.

• The need for recognition of the skills and the need to be appreciated.

Human beings, in general, are sensitive in recognizing the value and usefulness of

the personal qualities. For the child, encouragement, reward and praise can

increase self-confidence and foster commitment to future action. It is very

important for adults to have reasonable expectations, according with the

possibility of the child.

• The need for responsibility, once satisfied, allow the chilg to be more

independent.

Failure in satisfying these needs has disruptive effects on the child's

personality development and the consequences are dramatic both for themselves

and for society. Often, the tensions between the individual and the world around

him originates in the sufferings experienced in childhood. Instead of the joy of

being together and cooperation, youth will choose to flee or attack, especially

when a traumatic event such as a divorce disrupt family life.

8/11/2019 1art1


7

Compliance and meeting the needs of children and adolescents provide a

harmonious development of their personality and a guarantee for flexible

adaptation, resilience to the challenges of everyday life.

Also, teenagers were chosen to carry out this research because this period

is a turning point in becoming, in personal growth and entailed the interest of

specialists due to diverse and ever-changing features. Their predominant concern

was about identifying criteria for differentiation between normal and

symptomatic behavior and to compare the dimensions of personality, level of

maturity and communication style of adolescents with same elements of adult

psychology.

However, the paper aims to investigate the effects of the environment on

the behavior and personality of adolescents, given the multitude of theories that

support the importance of environmental factors in the development of the

individual. A positive family environment that the child need to develop

independence and resilience has the following characteristics: stable and

coherent environment, with clear rules defined; emotional security climate, trust,

emotional support; open, genuine, direct communication;

Family becomes disruptive when some changes occurs: prolonged or

permanent separation from their parents because of divorce or moving in the

country; separation or divorce of parents working abroad; conflictual and

inadequate relations; conflictual relations in reconstituted or mixed families; large

size of the family. (Mitrofan, 2001)

But the effects of divorce on children will be very different if both partners

continue their educational function, than if only one of the partners will engage in

manifestation of this responsibility (Vasile, 2011, page 59).

This event attracts a number of risks on child development. Vasile (2011)

presents a number of features that characterize the “children of divorce” and

which can extend to adult life: lack of confidence, moral fragility, anxiety,

untargeted anger, unwillingness to be responsable, low self-esteem, a “learning

by doing” style, as opposed to “learning by listening”, inability to judge causal

relationships, fear of abandonment, behavior determined by the value system -

dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors. All deviant behaviors are consistent with

these values.

8/11/2019 1art1


8

2.

OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESIS

2.1. OBJECTIVES

The study aims:

1. To establish the differences in personality structure in adolescents who

grew up in families with both parents and adolescents with monoparental

families.

2.

To highlight the differences between communication styles in adolescents

from families with both parents and those who grew up with only one

parent.

3.

To point out that both the communication style and personality structure

of adolescents are influenced by the type of family in which they grew up.

4. To highlight the link between communication style and personality in

adolescents.

2.2. HYPOTHESIS

1.

There are significant differences in the structure of pesonality of

adolescents who grew up in families with both parents and adolescents

who have been raised by one of the parents.

2. There are significant differences in terms of communication style in

adolescents from families with both parents and those from single parentfamilies.

3.

There is a link between communication style and personality in

adolescents.

2.3. VARIABLES

In order to test the hypothesis of research the following variables were

used: independent variables: family - it can be defined as a form of human

community, made up of two or more individuals, including both biological and

psychosocial side. According to the criteria, there are famillies with: both parents

and a single parent familly; dependent variables: personality and its indicators – openess – it identifies creative people with a rich culture, extraversion - sociable

and energetic, neuroticism - associated with maturity and self-confidence and

low scores on vulnerability to stress, conscientiousness - disciplined and flexible

persons, on the opposite side, postponing tasks, agreeableness - tolerant people,

with team spirit and the opposite, individualistic and competitive person. An

other dependent variable is communication style and the indicators:

manipulative attitude, preference for a role behind the scene, the tendency to

8/11/2019 1art1


9

expect favorable moment to come to light and to highlight the tendency to look

for hidden intentions behind any claims of others; assertive style, constructive

attitude, ability to self-affirmation, clear and honest expression of opinions

without aggression and without harming others; nonasertive style or passive

attitude, tendency to hide, to escape and flee rather than confront people;

aggressive style and attitude of attack, tendency to always be in front of, to have

the last word, to impose any cost.

3. METHOD

3.1. PARTICIPANTS

This research involved 150 subjects, girls and boys, aged 16 and 19, both

from urban and rural areas. The sample was chosen from the team of students

from the High School "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" in Alexandria from mathematics and

computer science and literature and natural sciences students at the National

Collegium "Matei Basarab" in Bucharest.

3.2. INSTRUMENTS

To capture the particularities of personality structure we used Big Five

Personality Questionnaire and to highlight differences in communication style we

used The SC Questionnaire (Analysis of Communication Style). Internal

consistency of both questionnaires was based on the responses obtained from 50

participants. Data were processed using SPSS, calculating Cronbach alphacoefficient for each scale of the two questionnaires. Thus, Scales of Big Five

Questionnaire, for the age group 16-19, were obtained the following coefficients

of internal consistency: extraversion - 0.85; agreeableness - 0.83;

conscientiousness - 0.90; openess - 0.81; emotional stability (neuroticism) - 0.69.

For the second questionnaire (communication style), there were obtained the

folowing internal consistency coefficients: nonasertiv style - 0.73; non agressive

style - 0.64; assertive style - 0.64; aggressive style - 0.63.

3.3. PROCEDURE

The first stage of the research was to obtain the informed consent from

each participant. They acknowledged that the answers to the questionnaires will

be used to scientific purpose. Also, participants were informed of the possibility to

8/11/2019 1art1


10

withdraw from the study at any time they want. It was highlihted the importance

of honest answers, but also the idea that there are no right or wrong answers.

For this study, each subject received a questionnaire: Big Five Questionaire

and SC Questionaire. For Big Five participants answered yes or no, yes = 2 points,

no = 1 point, and the communication style questionnaire with True / False = 2

points / 1 point. Participants responded to the questionnaires after they were

given the following instructions: “You will receive two questionnaires. In the first

questionnaire you will answer yes or no and at the second questionnaire with true

or false. It is important to answer depending on how you act in the situation

described by item or how you will act, not how is right. There are no right or

wrong answers. Answers must be given to each one individually”.

4. RESULTS

To determine the type of statistical test used, we have checked the

normality of data distribution for each scale of the two questionnaires. After

processing the data, it was found that scores are not distributed according to the

normal curve, yielding the following results: extraversion, p = 0.009;

agreeableness, p = 0.001; conscientiousness, p = 0.028; openess, p = 0.004;

emotional stability, p = 0.019. For communication style questionnaire the results

were: non assertive style, p = 0.003; aggressive style, p = 0.029; manipulative

style, p = 0.018; assertive style, p = 0.001.

Hypothesis testing was performed using an intergroup model. The results

were processed using the nonparametric Mann Whitney test, since the data are

not distributed according to normality curve. Thereby, the first specific hypothesisof the study is that there are significant differences in the orientation of the

person, depending on the type of the family. For extraversion, normal adolescents

from families (with both parents) have higher scores (m = 55.56, std. = 0.39) than

adolescents from divorced families (M = 45.44, std. = 0.39), p = 0, 08, p> 0.05 and

the confidence limits for the differences in averages are between 30.98 and 32.56;

research hypothesis for this variable is invalidated, the differences between these

groups were not statistic significant. For agreeableness, teenagers who come from

normal families (with both parents) have higher scores (M = 58.75, std. = 0.40)

than adolescents from divorced families (M = 42.25, std. = 0.39) at greeableness

scale, p = 0.004, p <0.05; confidence limits for the differences in averages are

between 32.98 and 34.45; research hypothesis for this variable is confirmed, thedifferences being statistic significant. For conscientiousness, teenagers who come

from normal families (with both parents) had higher scores (M = 59.02, std. = 0.5)

than adolescents from divorced families (M = 41.98, std. = 0.5), at

conscientiousness scale, p = 0.03, p <0.05; confidence limits for the differences in

averages are between 29.56 and 31.56; research hypothesis for this variable was

confirmed, differences between these groups was significant statistisc. The

8/11/2019 1art1


11

openess of adolescents from normal families (with both parents) is higher (M =

59.80, std. = 0.4) than the openess of adolescents from divorced families (M =

41.20, std. = 0.4), p = 0.000, p <0.05 and confidence limits for the differences in

averages are between 28.92 and 30.54; research hypothesis for this variable being

confirmed, the differences between these statistisc groups are significant. Also,

adolescents who come from normal families (with both parents) have higher

scores (M = 53.25, std. = 0.3) than adolescents from divorced families (M = 47.75,

std. = 0, 3), at the emotional stability scale, p = 0.341, p> 0.05; the confidence

limits for the differences in averages are between 28.33 and 29.91; research

hypothesis for this variable is invalidated, the differences between these groups

are statistisc insignificant.

The second hypothesis of the study takes into account the existence of

significant differences statistically in terms of communication style of adolescents

from normal families and those from divorced families. The hypothesis was tested

using the nonparametric Mann Whitney test, due to the invalidation of normality

of data distribution. Thus, using communication style questionnaire, difference

testing was performed at each scale. In terms of differences between adolescents

coming from divorced families and the normal families regarding nonassertive

communication style, teenagers who come from normal families (with both

parents) had lower scores (M = 45.79, std. = 0.3) than adolescents from divorced

families (M = 55.21, std. = 0.3), p = 0.102, p> 0.05; the confidence limits for

differences in averages are between 23.10 and 24.28; research hypothesis for this

variable is invalidated, the differences between these groups were insignificant

statistisc. Adolescents who come from normal families (with both parents) have

lower scores (M = 44.57, std. = 0.3) than adolescents from divorced families (M =

56.43, std. = 0, 3) in terms of aggressive communication style, p = 0.04, p <0.05;

confidence limits for the differences in averages are between 22.57 and 23.77;

research hypothesis for this variable was confirmed, differences between these

groups being significant. Regarding manipulative style, teenagers who come from

normal families (with both parents) had lower scores (M = 49.10, std. = 0.26) than

adolescents from divorced families (M = 51.90; std. = 0.26) in terms of

manipulative communication style, p = 0.62, p> 0.05; the confidence limits for the

differences in averages are between 23.40 and 24.44; research hypothesis for this

variable is invalidated, the differences between these groups were statistic

insignificant. Adolescents who come from normal families (with both parents)

have higher scores (M = 62.43, std. = 0.27) than adolescents from divorced

families (M = 38.57, std. = 0, 27) in terms of assertive communication style, p =

0.000, p <0.05; confidence limits for differences between averages are 25.02 and

8/11/2019 1art1


12

26.12, the research hypothesis for this variable was confirmed, the differences

between these groups being significant statistisc.

The last hypothesis of the study refers to the existence of an association

between personality and communication style in adolescents. Testing the

hypothesis is based on the between subjects model. The results were processed

using nonparametric Spearman correlation. The hypothesis was confirmed, with

a strong negative correlation index -0.073; M = 155.11, std. = 11.60 and

confidence limits are between 152.79 and 157.73 for personality; M = 96, 35, std.

= 6.10, with confidence limits ranging between 95.14 and 97.56 for

communication style.

Research results are consistent with most previous studies; we found

statistically significant differences between adolescents coming from divorced

families and those from families with both parents. Also, we’ve obtained a strong

negative relationship between the two variables: communication style and

personality in adolescents. In conclusion, there are significant differences

between the two groups.

Openness is characterized by active imagination, sensitivity, intellectual

curiosity, but is not associated with general intelligence. Opposite shows

conservative behavior, preference for familiar and quiet emotional life. It can be

argued that adolescents from divorced families are more in the opposite of this

factor, especially because of intense emotional feelings experienced both before

separating parents and during divorce. Because of parental separation, the rapid

succession of events and the need for adaptation and rehabilitation, these

teenagers are moving towards a preference for stability and familiarity, routine.

Conscientiousness refers to the self as an important predictor for the

development of value in any profession. Opposite pole is characterized by a lower

accuracy in the application of moral principles to achieve goals. According to the

survey, adolescents from divorced families had significantly lower scores than

adolescents from families with both parents. This may be a consequence of

multiple conflicts in which they were involved or who witnessed. Teenagers are

often involved in games and scenes between parents, being “used” to obtain

information about his partner.

For agreability, the third dimension, significant differences were found

between adolescents from divorced families and adolescents from families with

both parents. This refers to the sympathetic and helping behavior, addiction to

others. Opposite behaviors describe egocentric, competitive or narcissistic. This

would be a consequence of rebellion felt by teenagers in the process of divorce of

the parents and it might turn to self, becoming independent on the interpersonal

level.

It was found that, if they are assertive and aggressive, adolescents from

divorced families had significantly higher scores than those from families with

both parents. Manifestation of aggression in communicating with others is a

8/11/2019 1art1


13

result of parental separation, aggressive style is characterized by a tendency to

always be in front, to have the last word, to impose at any cost. By default,

adolescents from divorced families had lower scores on the scale targeting

assertive style.

A possible explanation for the insignificant differences recorded for

extraversion and neuroticism would be that these two dimensions have an innate

component, which is more biological and biochemical. Thus, if the individual was

born with a predisposition to be introverted or extraverted and emotionally

stable, an unstable environment may only have a minor influence on the

modification of these features.

In the study there were difficulties in finding subjects from families

separated, due to the fact that many of them were reluctant to participate in a

study aimed on personality characteristics. A possible explanation would be that,

being at a critical age and the fact that testing was done collectively, they had

difficulties to express their views on themselves.

5. CONCLUSIONS

This research aimed to study the effects of parental separation on youth

personality and the style of their communication with others, in relating to people

around them. The research wanted to determine whether there are differences in

the personality structure of adolescents coming from divorced families and

families with both parents. The research followed the Big Five model, aiming to

highlight the differences in the following dimensions of personality: extraversion,

agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and emotional stability. Also, thepresent study aimed to highlight possible differences existing in terms of

communication style. To test this hypothesis we used communication style

questionnaire developed by S. Marcus, aiming the following styles: aggressive

style, assertive style, manipulative style, non-assertive style. Third, we aimed to

highlight the existence of an association between personality and communication

style, this hypothesis being confirmed by a strong negative correlation coefficient

of -0.073, which means that teens who have high scores in personality, have

lower scores in communication style.

Thus, the following specific assumptions have undergone investigation:

there are differences between adolescents from divorced families and those from

families with both parents in each of the dimensions considered by the Big Fivemodel, but in the presence of a predominant style of communication. Significant

results were obtained for agreability, openness and conscientiousness, the

8/11/2019 1art1


14

research hypotheses being confirming. Also, in terms of communication style was

found that in adolescents with divorced parents prevail aggressive style, while

adolescents from families with both parents have an assertive style. Regarding

extraversion and emotional stability, we can say that there were no statistically

significant differences, because dimensions of personality were rather genetic and

environmental influences can little change the two dimensions. Another factor

could be the age of the subjects; they are still in a developmental process, both

emotionally, cognitive and in terms of personality.

This research represents a starting point for future studies that take into

account other variables, such as environment (urban or rural), age differentiation

on stage, the moment of parents’ divorce. As stated above, a longitudinal study

would allow better investigation of the hypothesis of this research. So, it might be

revealed effects of parental divorce both in the adolescents’ personality and in

other aspects of the development and maturation of the individual.

REFERENCES

Mitrofan, I. (2001). Psihopatologia, psihoterapia si consilierea copilului.

Bucuresti: SPER.

Muntean, A. & Munteanu, A. (2011). Violenta, trauma, rezilienta. Bucuresti:

Polirom.

Vasile, D.L. (2011). Trauma familiala. Bucuresti: Editura Sper.

1art1

Documents