Table 2 Qualitative analysis of rewards and difficulties of parenting an adolescent (N = 104)

Key Concept

n

%

Representative Quote

Adolescent Accomplishments and Personality Characteristics

71

68.2

“He′s all around an awesome kid (smart, calm, incredible sense of humor, amazingly loving and caring). Loves looking over his little brother. I love him to death.”

“She’s a wonderful daughter. She always does her homework. Hangs outside. Is always studying and reading.”

Parenting Benefits

29

27.8

“His rewards that he gets (great student, respectful, smart). Helps me know I’m doing a good job”.

“Being able to see my child happy and growing up.”

Friendship and Communication

19

18.2

“Well, I like the fact that we have a pretty good relationship. He talks to me easy enough, so the rewarding part is just watching him light up.”

“The most rewarding part of parenting I would say, maybe, just hanging out with him.”

Nothing/ I Don’t Know

2

1.9

“There is no reward at the moment. The reward will be when she becomes a successful adult.”

“I don’t know.”

 Behavioral Issues

38

36.5

“Trying to get him to do the things he is supposed to do. Example, clean up his room.”

“Sometimes they get to that age where they think they know everything.”

 Managing Teen Through Transition Years

24

23.1

“Teenage emotions, hormonal changes, being able to learn how to handle that.”

“Just the teenage years. Changing of her friends and becoming her own individual person.”

 Communication Issues And Difficult Conversations

18

17.3

“Having to explain the real-world things (suicide, sex, drugs). I’d rather be up front and talk to her in person, rather than her use another source like the internet.”

“Her frustrations. She won’t communicate with me about them.”

 Managing parental responsibilities

15

14.4

“Hm. Probably going through the pre-teen years. Finances, being able to afford the things a teen needs. Financial responsibilities of being a parent.”

“Well, the most difficult part has been making sure he goes to school each day.”

 Mental Health

10

9.6

“Problems with anxiety and panic attacks. It is painful and hard to help him manage and figure out what to do. Don’t like seeing him in pain.”

“Lately he’s been depressed because he misses his dad.”

 No difficulties

10

9.6

“I don’t know. He’s a good kid. Nothing difficult.”

“Nothing. She’s easy to get along with.”