College Students’ Perceptions of Relations with Parents and Academic Performance

Kerry A. Schwanz^1, , Linda J. Palm¹, Crystal R. Hill-Chapman² and Samuel F. Broughton²

¹Department of Psychology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina, USA

²Department of Psychology, Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina, USA

Cite this paper:
Kerry A. Schwanz, Linda J. Palm, Crystal R. Hill-Chapman and Samuel F. Broughton. College Students’ Perceptions of Relations with Parents and Academic Performance. American Journal of Educational Research. 2014; 2(1):13-17. doi: 10.12691/education-2-1-3

Abstract

The relationship between parent relations and college students’ academic performance was examined in two studies using samples of students enrolled in two southeastern liberal arts universities (N = 466). T scores on the Relations with Parents subscale on the college version of the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 served as the measure of student perception of parent relations and academic performance was measured using official university GPA and probation/suspension data. Results for the first study indicated a significant positive correlation between parent relations scores and GPAs. Additionally a significant negative correlation was found between parent relations scores and probation/suspension status. When gender differences were examined, parent relations scores accounted for more variance in academic performance for women than men. Systematic replication of the study at a nearby liberal arts university produced findings congruent with the initial investigation. Implications for college personnel who work with academically at- risk students are discussed.

Keywords:
parent relations academic performance college probation/suspension college students

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	American Psychological Association, “Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct,” American Psychologist, 57 1060-1073. Sep.2002.
[2]	Carney-Hall, K.C., “Understanding current trends in family involvement,” New Directions for Student Services, 122. 3-14. Jun.2008.
[3]	Cutright, M. “From helicopter parent to valued partner: Shaping the parental relationships for student success,” New Directions for Higher Education, Winter (144). 39-48. Dec.2008.
[4]	Day, R.D., & Padilla-Walker, L.M., “Mother and father connectedness and involvement during early adolescence,” Journal of Family Psychology, 23(6). 900-904. Dec.2009.
[5]	Demaray, M., Malecki, C., Davidson, L.M., Hodgson, K.K., & Rebus, P.J., “The relationship between social support and student adjustment: A longitudinal analysis,” Psychology in the Schools, 42(7). 691-706. Aug.2005.
[6]	Duchesne, S., Ratelle, C.F., Larose, S., & Guay, F., “Adjustment trajectories in college science programs: Perceptions of qualities of parents’ and college teachers’ relationship,” Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(1). 62-71. Jan.2007.
[7]	Fan X., & Chen, M., “Parental involvement and students’ academic achievement: A meta analysis,” Educational Psychology Review, 13. 1-22. Mar.2001.
[8]	Fass, M.E., & Tubman, J.G., “The influence of parental and peer attachment on college students’ academic achievement,” Psychology in the Schools, 39(5). 561-573. Aug.2002.
[9]	Fischer, J.L., Forthun, L.F., Pidcock, B.W., & Dowd, D.A., “Parent relationships, emotional regulation, psychosocial maturity, and college student alcohol use problems,” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36(7). 89-97. Oct.2007.
[10]	Joussemet, M., Landry, R., & Koestner, R., “A self-determination theory perspective on parenting,” Canadian Psychology, 49(3). 194-200. Aug.2008.
[11]	Kolkhorst, B.B., Yazedjian, A., & Toews, M.L., “Students’ perceptions of parental support during the college years,” College Student Affairs Journal, 29(1). 47-63. Fall.2010.
[12]	Laible, D.J., Carlo, G., & Roesch, S.C., “Pathways to self-esteem in late adolescence: The role of parent and peer attachment, empathy, and social behaviours,” Journal of Adolescence, 27(6). 703-716. Dec.2004.
[13]	Lum, L., “Handling ‘helicopter parents’,” Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 23(20). 40-42. Nov.2006.
[14]	Pizzolato, J.E., & Hicklen, S., “Parent involvement: Investigating the parent-child relationship in millennial college students,” Journal of College Student Development, 52(6). 671-686. Nov/Dec.2011.
[15]	Pomerantz, E.M., Moorman, E.A., & Litwack, S.D., “The how, whom, and why of parents’ involvement in children’s academic lives: More is not always better,” Review of Educational Research, 77(3). 373-410. Sep.2007.
[16]	Reynold C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W., Behavior Assessment System for Children (2nd ed.), American Guidance Services, Circle Pines, 2004.
[17]	Richardson, M., Abraham, C., & Bond, R., “Psychological correlates of university students’ academic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Psychological Bulletin, 138(2). 353-387. Mar.2012.
[18]	Schiffrin, H.H., Liss, M, Miles-McLean, H., Geary, K.A., Erchull, M.J., & Tashner, T., “Helping or hovering? The effects of helicopter parenting on college students’ well-being,” Journal of Child and Family Studies, Feb.2013. [Online].
[19]	Segrin, C., Woszidlo, A., Givertz, M., Bauer, A., & Murphy, M.T., “The association between overparenting, parent-child communication, and entitlement and adaptive traits in adult children,” Family Relations, 61(2). 237-252. Apr.2012.
[20]	Sorokou, C., & Weissbrod, C., “Men and women’s attachment and contact patterns with parents during the first year of college,” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34(3). 221-228. Jun.2005.
[21]	Wintre, M., & Yaffe, M., “First-year students’ adjustment to university life as a function of relationships with parents,” Journal of Adolescent Research, 15(1). 9-37. Jan.2000.
[22]	Yelle, D., Kenyon, B, & Koerner, S.S., “College student psychological well-being during transition to college: Examining individuation from parents,” College Student Journal, 43(4). 1145-1160. Dec.2009.