The Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales (IFIRS; Melby
and Conger 2001) was used to code verbal and non-verbal
parent behavior during the parent-teen conflict discussion.
Codes were assigned a value from 1 (behavior or emotion
did not occur) to 5 (behavior or emotion is ‘‘mainly characteristic’’
of the parent). Both the frequency and intensity
of the parent behavior were considered in rating each code.
Two parent codes were included in the present analyses to
capture parent positive communication: Communication
and Listener Responsiveness. Communication was defined
as the parent using reasoning, explanations and clarifications
to convey ideas in a positive or neutral manner as well
as to solicit the adolescent’s point of view. Listener
Responsiveness was defined as verbal or non-verbal
behavior toward the adolescent that shows the parent is
attending to, acknowledging, or validating what the adolescent
says (e.g., eye contact, nodding, asking clarifying
questions).