The relationship between parental attachment styles and maternal perceptions of preadolescent children's independence functioning a quantitative approach
| dc.contributor.author | Scroggins, Stephanie | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-04-27T17:10:12Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-04-27T17:10:12Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2008-12 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This quantitative study examined the maternal perceptions of children's independence functioning and mothers' internal working models of attachment. The study used online questionnaire methodological techniques to examine variables and answer hypotheses. The theoretical frameworks for this study were based on the attachment theory (Bowlby, 1982) and family systems theory (Bowen, 1988). The population for this study comprised of 161 mothers with children ages 7 to 11 years. The study examined four null hypotheses: (a) There will be no statistically significant difference in mother's perception of her child's independent functioning based on the mothers' attachment style; (b) There will be no statistically significant difference in mothers' perception of their children's independent functioning based on the mothers' educational level and socioeconomic status; (c) There will be no statistically significant difference in mothers' perception of their children's independent functioning based on the mothers' age, marital status, and working status; and (d) There will be no statistically significant difference in mothers' attachment style based on the mothers' age, marital status, and working status. Data were collected using the Maternal Perception of Child's Independence Measure (MPCI) and the Parent Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ) instruments, along with a demographics questionnaire. Results revealed that (a) parental attachment (PAQ) predicted maternal perceptions of the child's independence (MPCI); (b) education level of the mother predicted independence level in some incidences, and income level did not; (c) maternal age predicted independence level while marital status and working status did not; and finally, (d) neither maternal age, nor marital status, nor working status predicted parental attachment. This study concludes that both parental attachment and other demographic characteristics such as maternal education level and maternal age affect children's independence behaviors. Future research suggests investigations of attachment relationships to non-traditional parents as primary caregivers such as foster parents, stepparents, and adoptive parents. Additionally, a father as the primary caregiver is suggested as inclusion of non-traditional parents. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/11274/14902 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.subject | Parental Attachment Style | |
| dc.subject | Maternal Perception | |
| dc.subject | Preadolescent Children | |
| dc.subject | Attachment Theory | |
| dc.subject | Family Systems Theory | |
| dc.title | The relationship between parental attachment styles and maternal perceptions of preadolescent children's independence functioning a quantitative approach | en_US |
| dc.type | Dissertation | en_US |
| thesis.degree.college | College of Professional Education | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Child Development | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas Woman's University | en_US |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | en_US |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy | en_US |