Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

One of the most significant agents of shaping children early in life is their parental figures. There has been extant research into parenting styles and outcomes later in life. The current study sought to understand how parenting styles can influence the formation of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs), which in turn lead to the development of resilience later in life. It was expected that participants who reported higher levels of authoritative parenting would be significantly correlated with higher levels of positive childhood experiences, and lower levels of adverse childhood experiences. Secondly, authoritarian and permissive parenting would be significantly correlated with lower levels of positive childhood experiences and higher levels of adverse childhood experiences. Third, authoritative parenting would be significantly associated with higher levels of resilience while authoritarian and permissive parenting would be significantly correlated with lower levels of resilience. Fourth, higher levels of positive childhood experiences and lower levels of adverse childhood experiences would be correlated with higher levels of resilience. Finally, adverse childhood experience and positive childhood experiences would concurrently mediate the relationship between each of the parenting styles and resilience. Using a sample of 156 U.S. participants correlation and mediation analyses were examined. Overall, results showed that authoritative parenting was significantly associated with key variables while authoritarian and permissive parenting shared mixed results. Positive childhood experiences were significantly associated with key variables while adverse childhood experiences had mixed results. Positive childhood experiences completely or partially mediated the relationship between all parenting styles and resilience while adverse childhood experiences had no significant effect. Understanding the roles of parenting styles on the formation of positive and adverse childhood experiences provides better insight into the formation of resilience later in life.

Year manuscript completed

2025

Year degree awarded

2025

Author's Keywords

Positive childhood experiences, adverse childhood experiences, resilience, parenting styles

Degree Awarded

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

College/School

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Thesis Advisor

Esther Malm

Committee Chair

Esther Malm

Committee Member

Laura Liljequist

Committee Member

Amanda Joyce

Committee Member

Alison Brown

Document Type

Thesis

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