Do Aggression Levels Differ Among Undergraduate Students Who Recall Being Raised with Authoritative, Authoritarian, or Permissive Parenting Styles?

Deimarys Lara

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: MA.FORENSIC-PSY

Faculty Research Mentor: Doyle, Christine  

Abstract:

AbstractThe aim of this research is to investigate whether levels of aggression differ among undergraduate college students aged 18-25 based on their recalled parenting styles during childhood and adolescence. Based on Baumrind’s parenting framework, this study will be concentrating on authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting and their long-term effects on aggression displayed during young adulthood. Research has found correlations between authoritarian parenting and aggression, and between authoritative parenting and good regulation of emotions and lower aggression. In contrast, research on individuals who have experienced permissive parenting styles has found conflicting evidence of aggressive behaviors being linked to these parenting styles. Participants will be recruited through social media and complete an anonymous survey in Qualtrics. The survey contains demographic questions, a recalled parenting style assessment adapted from the Parental Authority Questionnaire , and a scale on current aggression based on the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Participants outside of the targeted age range will be automatically eliminated from the survey participation. Parenting style measures will be used to assign participants to groups based on parenting style, and aggression measures will be used as the outcome variable of interest. A one-way ANOVA will be performed on aggression levels across each of the 3 parenting styles, and subsequent post-tests will determine what between-group differences exist. The current investigation seeks to contribute to a better understanding of how early family environments influence behavior and emotional responses later in life.keywords: parenting styles, aggression, authoritative parents, authoritarian parents, permissive parents