ORCA General Oral Presentation Session (Virtual)

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Junior

Major

Psychology

Minor

Nonprofit Leadership Studies

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Amanda Joyce, PhD.

Presentation Format

Poster Presentation

Abstract/Description

The way a child is raised has been proven to be related to many characteristics that they take on as an adult. Indecisiveness is one characteristic, and it has commonly been examined through the lens of career indecision. There is little exploration of indecisiveness as a trait in relation to parenting style. Current literature also presents contradicting findings from different countries, and there has been limited inquiry within the United States. In these respects, the present study aimed to supplement the existing research. Participants were primarily female and Caucasian, and between 18 and 22 years old. Participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with statements pertaining to indecisiveness (Frost and Shows Indecisiveness Scale) and the parenting style of their mother (Parenting Style Inventory-II) on a Likert scale. Autonomy-granting mothering was found to negatively relate to indecisiveness exhibited as an adult, r = -.297, p < .01. The more autonomy-granting mothering that individuals received, they tended to be more decisive as an adult. Because indecisiveness has previously been linked to anxiety, the present study therefore provides an additional perspective on how parenting style can relate to anxiety.

Spring Scholars Week 2020 Event

Psychology: Completed Projects

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I Couldn't Decide on a Title: The Relationship Between Parenting Style and Indecisiveness

The way a child is raised has been proven to be related to many characteristics that they take on as an adult. Indecisiveness is one characteristic, and it has commonly been examined through the lens of career indecision. There is little exploration of indecisiveness as a trait in relation to parenting style. Current literature also presents contradicting findings from different countries, and there has been limited inquiry within the United States. In these respects, the present study aimed to supplement the existing research. Participants were primarily female and Caucasian, and between 18 and 22 years old. Participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with statements pertaining to indecisiveness (Frost and Shows Indecisiveness Scale) and the parenting style of their mother (Parenting Style Inventory-II) on a Likert scale. Autonomy-granting mothering was found to negatively relate to indecisiveness exhibited as an adult, r = -.297, p < .01. The more autonomy-granting mothering that individuals received, they tended to be more decisive as an adult. Because indecisiveness has previously been linked to anxiety, the present study therefore provides an additional perspective on how parenting style can relate to anxiety.