This Is AuburnElectronic Theses and Dissertations

Parenting Styles Influence on Locus of Control, Self-Efficacy and Academic Adjustment in College Students

Date

2010-08-04

Author

Mills, Kimberly

Type of Degree

dissertation

Department

Education
Counseling Psychology
Rehabilitation and Special Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived parenting style, locus of control, self-efficacy, and student outcome (i.e. academic performance, GPA) in a sample of college students. The relationship among gender and ethnicity were also examined across these variables. There were 100 participants in this study, including 78 females and 22 males from a university in the Southeastern United States. All participants were between the ages of 19–23. Respondents were asked to supply their demographic information as well as self-report on their academic performance. Additionally, participants completed three questionnaires, including the Parental Authority Questionnaire, Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Regression analysis was used to analyze the data. In sum, findings in the current study suggested that overall, parenting style and student outcome were not significantly related; self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship between parenting style and student outcome; locus of control did not moderate the relationship between parenting style and student outcome; parenting style and gender were not significantly related; self-efficacy and gender were significantly related; locus of control and gender were not significantly related. Implications for parents, college counselors, counselor educators and future research are discussed.