Date Approved

5-1-2000

Embargo Period

6-17-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Klanderman, John

Subject(s)

Authoritarianism (Personality trait); Parent and child; School attendance; Student suspension

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived parenting style of adolescents and the educational implications. Grade Point Average, Absences, and Suspensions was explored. The level of perceived authoritativeness, as well as the "pure" parenting style was measured. Adolescents who viewed their parents as presenting a more firm and democratic parenting atmosphere demonstrated a lower rate of absenteeism and did better academically.

The Child Report of Parental Behavior Inventory was administered to seventh and eighth grades in an urban school district. The sample size for this study was 320 (m=148, f=172). The study was comprised of 194 African Americans (60.6%), 64 European Americans (20.0%) and 62 Hispanic Americans (19.4%). A correlation and multivariate ANOVA was used in examining the data.

The results suggest that perceived authoritative parenting style is associated with higher grade point average and lower absences and suspensions. The results also suggest that this association occurs more frequent by females than males. No ethnic differences have been found with regards to the level of perceived parenting style and the examined variables.

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