The Influence of Too Much or Too Little Parental Involvement in College Adjustment in Undergraduate Students

The Influence of Too Much or Too Little Parental Involvement in College Adjustment in Undergraduate Students

Copyright: © 2024 |Pages: 19
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1451-7.ch006
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Abstract

Parental involvement is a critical aspect of child development that evolves as children become adolescents and enter adulthood. This chapter delves into the influence of too much or too little parental involvement on college students' adjustment. It discusses the impact of parenting dynamics such as overly involved, uninvolved, and conflictual styles on college adjustment. Transitioning from high school to college can be exciting and overwhelming for students as they adjust to new expectations that affect them psychologically, behaviorally, and cognitively. This chapter explores the effects of transitioning from high school to college, coping with change, and ways to facilitate emotional adjustment. It outlines the role of other contributing factors, such as social and academic success, self-efficacy, and college belongingness, in overall adjustment. Lastly, this chapter concludes with institutional strategies to help support student wellbeing.
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Introduction

In 2015, 2,373,877 students enrolled as college students in a public two or four-year college, private nonprofit two or four-year college, or private for-profit two or four-year college institution (NSC Research Center, 2022). That same year, about 84.4% of the entering cohort was aged 20 or younger, and about 7% ranged from 20-24 years of age (NSC Research Center, 2022). Attending a university is a substantial financial investment and time commitment that students hope will equip them with knowledge, skills, and the ability to perform job functions in their chosen profession. It is also a way for individuals to have an opportunity to compete for employment opportunities and to obtain a higher income upon graduation than they otherwise would have without a degree. In 2022-2023, the average annual cost to attend a four-year university in the United States ranged from $23,250 to $53,430, depending on several factors such as public school vs. private school (Statista.com, 2023). College can be expensive, and students have options about where to attend school. However, for many families, the decision to attend a specific university involves careful consideration of factors such as the institution's values, academics, socialization, and overall environment and experience.

The completion rate of students at an academic institution of higher education is an essential measure of success for the institution and the student. The rate of those graduating from universities increased between 1960 and 2020. According to Statista (2020), in 1960, only 8% of the US population graduated from college, compared to 38% in 2020. According to NSC Research Center (2022), the overall six-year completion rate for students who began college in Fall 2015 was 62%. Interestingly, the six-year outcome data indicates that the highest completion rate at the same institution is among private nonprofit four-year institutions (66.4%), followed by public four-year institutions (58%), private for-profit institutions (37%), and public two-year colleges (31%) (NSC Research Center, 2022). Retention rates are an essential indicator of student adjustment, academic success, and satisfaction within the university environment. Retention rates for first-time, full-time university students in the fall of 2020 across all four-year institutions was about 82% (Statista, 2020). A proportion of students who enroll in undergraduate programs do not complete their studies. According to data from nces.ed.gov (2021), the dropout rate for first-time, first-year college students was estimated to be as high as 24% between 2019 and 2020. Students who stay in school are more likely to complete their undergraduate studies. Academic institutions routinely evaluate strategies to improve student retention rates on their college campuses. They may create opportunities (e.g., school events) for students and their families to connect with the school, peers, and faculty. This type of school community can foster a sense of belongingness and institutional connection for students and families.

Among young adults, parental involvement and family support are key factors that can facilitate the successful transition from high school to college. A successful adjustment to the college environment positively contributes to academic success, student retention, social adjustment, and psychological wellbeing. However, as critical as the family system and parental involvement are, too much parental involvement may adversely affect the young adult's university experience. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the literature on the parenting role in a student’s adjustment to the university environment. It discusses the transition from high school to college, the importance of building healthy social capital in the university setting, the student’s emotional adjustment, and how various parenting styles influence college students’ adjustment.

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