NCJ Number
86614
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1982) Pages: 31-37
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study explores the relationship between juvenile runaways and their parents by measuring levels of empathic understanding; implications of the findings for counseling techniques are discussed.
Abstract
Thirty runaways and their parents (n=43) were matched to a randomly selected control group of nonrunaways and their parents for such variables as age, sex, family structure, and ethnicity. The Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory and the Semantic Differential were the instruments used to measure empathic understanding between generations. It was hypothesized that the runaways and their parents would have less empathic understanding for one another than the nonrunaways and their parents. The findings generally supported the hypothesis. Both fathers and the runaways tended to view one another negatively, due largely to their inability to communicate with one another. The runaways and their mothers had better perceptions of one another than either realized. A counselor could increase the possibility of deterring a future runaway episode by directing the counseling sessions toward improving communication and understanding between runaways and their parents. Procedures for this type of counseling include having the family members manifest and develop good listening habits, such as having family members recount what they believe another family member is saying to them. If at all possible, counseling sessions should be in the family home. Tabular data and eight notes are provided.