Impact of intergenerational conflict on young people and interventions to mitigate its effects: a scoping review

Background: Intergenerational conflicts with parents or grandparents have been shown to have adverse effects on young people. Inevitably these conflicts influence the mental health and well-being of young people.

Aims: The scoping review aimed to identify the extent of existing literature related to intergenerational conflicts in a familial context, including the factors associated with those conflicts and the interventions addressing intergenerational issues.

Method: Articles across OVID, PubMed, and ERIC databases on intergenerational conflicts involving youth (10-24), parents, and/or grandparents were identified. The review is reported adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Results: From 185 database articles, 43 studies met eligibility criteria, and 4 more were added via cross-referencing, totalling 47. They were grouped into pre-COVID, COVID-related studies, and intervention studies. Parent-child conflict significantly impacted youth mental health, particularly internalising and externalising behaviours. Besides examining the associations, the review addresses the intergenerational conflict in the purview of Gender and cultural differences. Also, a focus on Interventions designed to enhance intergenerational relationships and resolve conflicts was discussed.

Conclusions: This review illuminates the detrimental impact of intergenerational conflicts within familial dynamics on the mental well-being of young individuals. It also encompasses the distinct landscape of intergenerational conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic.