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
Recommended Citation
Paredes, Nathaniel, "The Effects of Parenting Styles on Childhood Memories and Resilience Building" (2025). Murray State Theses and Dissertations. 384.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/etd/384
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons