Is the resolution style ‘exiting statements’ related to adolescent problem behavior?

This study examined the association between the adolescents' conflict resolution style ‘exiting statements' (i.e., the expression of the adolescent' desire to minimize or end the contact with his or her parents) in parent–adolescent conflicts with self-rated adolescent GAD symptoms and delinquency symptoms of 1313 adolescents. A multi-group, structural equation model was employed to analyze the relationship between the constructs for four age–sex groups. Results demonstrated that age and sex moderated the relationship between exiting statements, GAD and delinquency. For late adolescent females, perceived difficulties in solving conflicts in horizontal parent–adolescent relationships were significantly related to self-rated GAD symptoms. It is discussed how the Multimodal Treatment Approach could be applied for family conflict resolution. For early adolescent males, perceived problems in solving parent–adolescent conflicts were strongly related to self-rated delinquency symptoms. These findings are discussed in light of Parent Management Training that focuses on the conflict resolution styles of family members.