Effectiveness of Assertive Therapy for Parents in Managing Adolescent Emotions

Abstract

Background. Adolescents experienced significant psychosocial stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic due to movement restrictions, social isolation, and disruptions in routine, which adversely affected emotional regulation. As primary caregivers, parents play a critical role in supporting adolescents’ emotional well-being, particularly during prolonged home confinement. Assertiveness training may enhance parents’ ability to manage adolescents’ emotional responses by improving communication, emotional control, and problem-solving skills.

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of assertiveness training for parents in improving their ability to manage adolescents’ emotional regulation.

Methods. This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a control group. A total of 92 parents were recruited and allocated to either the intervention group (n = 46) or the control group (n = 46) using simple random sampling. The intervention consisted of assertiveness training delivered over six structured sessions, focusing on enhancing parents’ assertive communication and emotional management strategies in addressing adolescent problems. Outcome measures assessed parents’ ability to manage adolescent emotions before and after the intervention.

Results. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 65 years, with the largest proportion aged 43–45 years. Most respondents were married (82.6%), had adolescent daughters (43.4%), and had attained a low educational level (80.4%). Post-intervention analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in parents’ ability to manage adolescent emotions in the intervention group compared with the control group (p <0.05). An associated increase in adolescents’ emotional understanding, as perceived by parents, was also observed following the intervention.

Conclusion. Assertiveness training is effective in enhancing parents’ capacity to manage adolescents’ emotional regulation. Collaboration between the Department of Health and psychiatric nursing specialists is recommended to integrate assertiveness training into community-based mental health programs. Incorporating this intervention as a core competency for psychiatric nursing specialists in community health settings may strengthen family-centered mental health services, particularly during public health emergencies.