Publication: The determinants of emotional care and neglect : perceptions among adolescents in Singapore
Abstract
This thesis investigates the concept of emotional care and neglect, from the perceptive of adolescents. The importance of the parents’ relationship with their adolescents and the impact it has on their perceptions of emotional care and emotional neglect is examined. Emotional care and neglect are difficult concepts to define and to measure, As there are no instruments to measure emotional neglect, a self-designed instrument, named Adolescent Self-Report Measure of Emotional Care and Neglect, was constructed by the candidate.<br><br>Very little research has been done on grandparents undertaking the parental role as caregivers, hence they are included in the study in addition to mothers and fathers. The thesis examines how different parenting styles, parental and academic expectations, lack of emotional closeness between the caregivers and adolescents, and caregivers’ superstitious beliefs can contribute in adolescents’ perception of being emotionally neglected. The role of the caregiver is also important in understanding adolescents’ coping mechanisms and their resiliency in adverse situations.<br><br>Findings in this thesis indicated that mothers are still the preferred caregiver. The roles of fathers are as important as the roles of mothers in their relationship with adolescents as they are found to provide more emotional autonomy to older male adolescents. Grandparents, however, are perceived to be emotionally neglectful by the older adolescents. Adolescents in this study perceived that their relationship with grandfathers have been affected, and this could have been the result of their superstitious beliefs.<br><br>Results of the study clearly highlighted the importance of the roles of the caregivers. Both parents and grandparents need to understand consequences of their own behaviours that may cause adolescents to perceive being emotionally neglected. Counsellors can use findings of this thesis in their interventions with adolescents and their families. Early intervention is necessary to prevent chronic emotionally neglected adolescents from escalating into chronic emotional abusers.<br><br>It is hoped that interfamilial relationships between adolescents and their caregivers can be enhanced through the findings of this thesis.