Methods of Coping with Generational Conflict and its Relationship with Family Alienation: A Field Study on a Sample of Students from the Faculty of Arts, Misurata University

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between methods of dealing with generational conflict and levels of family alienation through a study conducted on a sample of students from the Faculty of Arts at Misurata University. The study aimed to reveal the strategies adopted by Libyan families to face the challenges associated with generational conflict, and to explore the extent to which these strategies reflect the emergence of feelings of alienation within the family. The study adopted a descriptive analytical approach, utilizing the social survey method based on using a sample as the main tool for data collection. Data was gathered by distributing a questionnaire to a random sample of 100 participants. The results revealed the absence of any statistically significant correlation between the method of building friendship and the level of family alienation. The study also showed no statistically significant correlation between the method of family containment and family alienation. However, the results indicated a correlation between the method of fluctuating parental control and family alienation. Furthermore, they pointed to a statistically significant correlation between the method of criticism and negative thinking and the level of family alienation. The study concluded with a set of recommendations, including focusing on strengthening positive communication methods within the family. It also suggested organizing awareness programs targeting families and students with the aim of developing positive and effective communication skills between the family and children to reduce the gap between them. Additionally, it recommended conducting future studies that include broader, more diverse, and socially different samples. The study also emphasized the importance of reducing fluctuations in family control and avoiding the method of negative criticism, due to their clear effect on increasing levels of family alienation, which was proven by the results of the current study.