Changes in Korean Adolescents’ Perceptions of Parents: An Indigenous Psychological Comparison Between 2003 and 2024

Key Points

• The study aims to understand how Korean adolescents' perceptions of parents have changed over 20 years, from 2003 to 2024.
• Conducted an online survey with 480 middle and high school students in Korea.
• Utilized six dimensions of parental perception: gratitude, respect, guilt, intimacy, conflict, and distance.
• Analyzed differences based on gender, school level, academic achievement, and economic status.
• Categorized qualitative responses using content analysis.
• Adolescents reported high levels of gratitude and intimacy towards both parents, especially mothers.
• Higher academic achievement and economic status correlated with greater gratitude, respect, and intimacy, and lesser conflict and distance.
• Overall, respect and guilt towards both parents decreased, while conflict and distance increased compared to 2003, yet intimacy remained stable.
• Qualitative analysis highlighted emotional support, practical and financial assistance, and shared interests as key factors for positive perceptions.

Abstract