Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Psychology, Hazrat Qasim ibn al-Hassan Hawzah Educational Complex, Tehran, Iran.
2 Corresponding Author, Department of Psychology, Islamic Humanities Higher Education Complex, Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran
Abstract
Highlights
Introduction
Adolescence is a critical stage in human life, occurring between the ages of 12 and 18, and is accompanied by specific challenges, especially for adolescent girls. During this period, girls face physical, emotional, and social changes that can affect their mental and social health (Sundari et al., 2022). These challenges include social pressures, cultural expectations, and the search for individual identity, which can lead to complex emotions such as anxiety and depression (Smith & Miller, 2021). Social and family interactions are severely affected during this period as girls seek independence and a separate identity from their families (Manoukian, 2022), and these changes can lead to conflicts in family relationships, particularly with mothers. In this regard, intimacy between mothers and adolescent daughters is recognized as a key factor in supporting girls' mental and emotional health (Zarein et al., 2024).
Intimacy refers to emotional closeness and effective communication between individuals, which can manifest as the exchange of feelings, experiences, and emotional support (Doang et al., 2023). This intimacy allows mothers and daughters to communicate in a safe and supportive environment, share their feelings and concerns, and enables mothers to act as counselors and emotional supporters (Deontri, 2023). Studies show that higher intimacy between mothers and daughters helps strengthen girls' self-esteem and self-confidence, prevents the onset of mental health problems, and is effective in identity formation and reducing feelings of isolation and despair (Magaji, 2024; Kheildar & Fathi Ashtiani, 2023). Conflict between mothers and adolescent daughters is a common reality stemming from differences in expectations, values, and attitudes, which reduces the quality of relationships and increases emotional tension (Cho et al., 2022). Research indicates that family conflicts have negative effects on girls' mental health, leading to depression and anxiety (Nemati, 2024), and undermining their social and academic performance (Hass, 2022).
Empathy skill training for mothers is an effective solution for improving relationships and reducing conflicts (Chenbuk et al., 2023). Empathy is the ability to understand and feel the experiences of others, which helps mothers better understand their daughters' needs and feelings (Beverly et al., 2021). Studies show that mothers who have strengthened their empathy skills establish more intimate relationships with their daughters (Panahi & Zare'an, 2012). Empathy skill training helps in effectively responding to emotional needs and providing appropriate reactions during emotional difficulties (Chenbuk et al., 2023). Chenbuk et al. (2023) showed that mothers who participated in empathy training courses reported a significant increase in the quality of their relationships with their daughters, and empathy training was effective for adolescents and mothers in their relationship and overall life satisfaction. Marshall et al. (2023) showed that differences in perceptions between mothers and adolescents regarding maternal psychological control affect the quality of conflict discussions, and a high adolescent perception of maternal psychological control is associated with lower quality discussions. Islamic texts also emphasize empathy in improving parent-child interactions. The tenth verse of Surah Fatir indicates good intentions and good deeds for the realization of empathy, and the Quran emphasizes optimism and avoiding pessimism (cf., Hujurat: 12). Good character, justice, and fairness strengthen society and reduce tensions (cf., Ma'idah: 8; An'am: 152; Nahl: 90; Hadid: 25). The recommendation for respect and affection in family relationships and avoiding even saying "Uff" to parents (cf., Isra: 23) demonstrates the importance of correct emotional communication. Given the research gap in examining the effect of empathy skill training on mother-adolescent daughter relationships, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of empathy skill training on improving intimacy and reducing conflicts. The main research question was: Can empathy skill training for mothers help improve intimacy and reduce conflicts between mothers and adolescent daughters?
Method
The present study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up period. Data were collected at pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages (two months after the last training session) and analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures. The population included mothers with adolescent daughters in District 4 of Tehran who were active in mosques and local Basij centers. From this population, 50 mothers were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (25 participants) and control (25 participants). Inclusion criteria included having daughters aged 12 to 20, consenting to participate in the research, and not having serious psychological problems or disorders. Exclusion criteria included incomplete questionnaires and absence from more than two training sessions.
Research instruments included Asadi et al.'s (2011) Parent-Adolescent Conflict Questionnaire, Pianta's (2011) Child-Parent Relations Scale translated by Tahmasian and Khoramabadi (2007), and Vaziri and Lotfi Kashani's (2011) Empathy Skill Training Package. The reliability of the conflict instrument in the present study was reported as 0.90 using Cronbach's alpha, and the reliability of Pianta's scale was 0.65. The empathy training package consisted of eight 90-minute sessions covering concepts of empathy, effective communication techniques, and conflict management strategies, and the sessions were conducted in a group format. After the training, the questionnaires were re-administered at posttest and follow-up. To adhere to ethical principles, the educational content was also provided to the control group.
Results
The mean age of the intervention group was 33.18 years, and the control group was 32.20 years. Descriptive statistics indicated that the experimental group reported a significant decrease in conflict and a significant increase in intimacy at the posttest stage, whereas the control group showed no change. The trend for conflict was decreasing, and for intimacy, it was increasing and stable. The results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests confirmed the normality of the data distribution. The results of ANOVA with repeated measures showed that the main effect of time, the main effect of group, and the time×group interaction effect were significant for mother-daughter conflict (η²=0.685, F=104.277, P<0.001; η²=0.627, F=80.854, P<0.001; η²=0.661, F=93.625, P<0.001). For intimacy, the main effect of time (η²=0.752, F=145.786, P<0.001), the main effect of group (η²=0.690, F=106.811, P<0.001), and the time×group interaction (η²=0.718, F=94.632, P<0.001) were also significant. The large effect sizes indicated the strong effectiveness of the intervention. The Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed a significant decrease of 12.40 units in the conflict variable at posttest (P<0.001) and a decrease of 9.25 units at follow-up (P=0.032). For the intimacy variable, an increase of 12.45 units at posttest (P<0.001) and a stabilization of 5.17 units at follow-up (P=0.028) were observed, confirming the persistence of the intervention's effects.
Conclusions
The research results showed that empathy skill training for mothers improves intimacy and reduces conflict between mothers and adolescent daughters. These findings are consistent with the results of Shakeri et al. (2020), Latifi (2019), and Boele et al. (2019). The effectiveness of empathy training is linked to a deeper understanding of daughters' feelings and needs, strengthening communication skills, reducing emotional tensions, and creating a supportive environment (Davis, 2022; Goleman, 2021). Furthermore, the results indicated that empathy training reduces conflict, aligning with research by Zarei et al. (2022), Shakeri et al. (2020), and Schreier et al. (2024). Empathy training enables mothers to have empathetic and rational responses, and to seek constructive solutions instead of creating tension (Katz & McCallum, 2020; Holt & Pomerantz, 2021).
The findings suggest that practicing empathy skills, recognizing interpretive errors, and avoiding dehumanization in relationships help improve communication and reduce conflicts (Smith & Kessler, 2022). These trainings create a positive and supportive environment and can act as an effective intervention in enhancing the quality of family relationships and adolescents' mental health. Limitations included confining the statistical population to District 4 of Tehran, using a passive control group, and the absence of comprehensive criteria for evaluating psychological problems. It is suggested that future studies be conducted with a broader statistical population and protocols adapted to different cultural contexts, and that this intervention be used in girls' schools and counseling centers.
Authors' Contributions
All authors participated equally in the design of the study, writing the article, and editing the final versions.
Data Availability Statement
Data available on request from the authors.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to all individuals who participated in this study.
Ethical Considerations
Cases such as falsification of data, distortion of results, plagiarism, and any other unethical behavior have been strictly avoided in this study. The authors emphasize that all ethical principles have been observed in conducting and publishing this research. This has been confirmed by all authors.
Funding
This study was conducted without receiving any financial support from government, commercial, or non-profit organizations.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this study. In other words, there were no financial or personal interests that could affect the results of the study.
Keywords
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