CONSERVATIONS OF ADOLESCENTS WITH PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE SAME AGE

Drawing upon assumptions concerning relationship development in adoles cence as suggested by individuation theory, this study aimed to elucid ate similarities and differences between early adolescents' verbal int eractions with their parents and with friends. A total of 17 boys and 18 girls (mean age: 13.5 years) participated in structured interaction s (a ''plan-something-together'' task) with father/mother and best fri end, respectively. Drawing upon Powers' DECS, transcripts of the audio recordings were categorized. The analysis provided evidence for varia tions in interactional behaviors as a function of the type of situatio n. Despite some indications of adolescents' rebelliousness, parent-chi ld interactions were more unilateral in nature than conversations amon g friends.