Family Factors and Child Adjustment to College: Role of Parent-Child Relationship Quality

Student Author Information

Taylor J. Meadows, University of LynchburgFollow

Location

Schewel 208

Access Type

Campus Access Only

Entry Number

18

Start Date

4-6-2022 9:30 AM

End Date

4-6-2022 9:45 AM

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study examined family contexts such as the quality of parent-child relationship and how it may predict child adjustment to college. Previous research on this topic is outdated and has produced conflicting results. Participants in this study completed instruments measuring the quality of the parent-child relationship, separation anxiety, depression, and college adjustment. Feelings of parental responsibility positively predicted separation anxiety, depression, and college adjustment. Parental demandingness positively predicted separation anxiety and negatively predicted homesickness. Finally, a high-quality parental relationship positively predicted homesickness. The results of this study show that the quality of the parent-child relationship is an important factor in first-year students’ adjustment to college.

Keywords: Child adjustment, college, separation anxiety, depression, college adjustment, parent-child relationship, relationship quality.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Alisha Marciano

Rights Statement

The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.