THE EXTENT, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION OF PARENTAL ATTACHMENTS AMONG FIRST-YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS.

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

KENNY, MAUREEN EMILY.

Contributor:

University of Pennsylvania.

Subjects (All):

Developmental psychology.

0620.

Local Subjects:

0620.

Physical Description:

185 pages

Contained In:

Dissertation Abstracts International 46-08B.

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

text file

Summary:

Little research exists regarding parental attachments beyond early childhood. This study was directed towards increasing understanding of the extent, structure, and function of parental attachments in late adolescence as described by first-year college men and women. Ainsworth's model of attachment was adopted as a way of conceptualizing attachment for purposes of this study.

The subjects were 173 first-year college students at the University of Pennsylvania. Subjects completed a 70-item attachment questionnaire, designed to adapt Ainsworth's conceptualization of attachment for use with college students, the Dating and Assertion Questionnaire (Levenson & Gottman, 1978), and a demographic data sheet. The extent of parental attachment was assessed by calculating means for each of the questionnaire content areas and comparing mean responses of males and females in each area. Factor analysis of the questionnaire responses was completed to examine the structure of attachment. The function of attachment was explored by examining the relationship between the identified factors and the measures of Assertion and Dating Competence. Twelve of the subjects participated in follow-up interviews.

First-year college students' descriptions of their parental attachments were positive overall. Women differed from men only in describing themselves as more likely to seek out both the help of parents and friends in situations of stress. For women, Quality of the Parental Relationship was moderately correlated with Assertion, but was unrelated to Dating Competence. Characteristics of the attachment relationship were unrelated to both Assertion and Dating Competence for the male group.

In contrast with the popular belief that departure from the family requires a severing of parental ties, the majority of students participating in this study left home, adapted to college life, and became involved in romantic relationships without rebellion or parental conflict. Many first-year college students use their parents as a secure base, viewing them as simultaneously encouraging independence and being available as a source of support when needed. Contrary to the popular assumption that women's needs for interpersonal attachments limit their assertion, the results suggest that close parental relationships can support feelings of assertion in young women.

Notes:

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-08, Section: B, page: 2837.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 1985.

Local Notes:

School code: 0175.

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.