ABSTRACT
Preadolescence is a developmental phase in which youth are transitioning from childhood into adolescence and might be referred to as early adolescents, preteens, or tweens. In response, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy can serve to strengthen the parent-child relationship during this important developmental stage. During preadolescence, maturing children experience social/emotional, physical, and cognitive changes in a relatively short period of time. The physical, cognitive, and social-emotional developmental changes that occur during preadolescence can negatively affect the parent-child relationship. According to J. D. Coatsworth et al, it is important for parents to demonstrate the ability to self-regulate and provide a relationship where preadolescents feel accepted, supported, and emotionally connected with their parents. According to G. L. Landreth, choice giving provides children the opportunity to practice problem-solving and decision-making skills and helps to decrease power struggles in the parent-child dyad. Research findings have shown that this trend can be altered by improving the quality of parent-child relationships during preadolescence.
