CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Family Experiences and Development in College Students
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Biology
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
2nd Student Minor
Sociology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Esther Malm, PhD.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Children who experience parental substance use often face significant challenges due to a parent's critical role in a child's life. Literature suggests that without proper emotional or social support these children will be unable to form secure attachments that carry on into their adult lives. Depending on the intensity of the parent’s use of substances, the child is at risk for experiencing physical or emotional abuse or even neglect where the parents may not provide their child the basic essentials to live. With parenting that looks more permissive and neglectful in style, existing literature suggests children are more likely not to listen to parental orders and to develop more impulsive behaviors. This study aims to understand how parental substance use and parenting style impacts attachment and behavior patterns in college students. Research has previously focused on how parenting can lead to adolescent substance use or how adolescent substance use affects the parent(s.) More research, however, needs to be done on parents' use of substances and how this affects their parenting style or children’s development. This study hypothesizes that college students (in their childhood) whose parent(s) used substances will be more likely to (a) report higher scores on uninvolved or neglectful parenting style compared to permissive, authoritarian, authoritative parenting styles, (b) will report insecure attachment with their parents, compared to secure attachment (c) will report higher impulsive behaviors compared to those whose parents did not use substances. Lastly, this study hypothesized that parental substance use may indirectly affect impulsive behavior through parenting styles. Data collection is ongoing from Murray State University students using a survey, with a sample of 79 participants so far. Results will be presented during scholars week.
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Family Experiences and Development in College Students
Children who experience parental substance use often face significant challenges due to a parent's critical role in a child's life. Literature suggests that without proper emotional or social support these children will be unable to form secure attachments that carry on into their adult lives. Depending on the intensity of the parent’s use of substances, the child is at risk for experiencing physical or emotional abuse or even neglect where the parents may not provide their child the basic essentials to live. With parenting that looks more permissive and neglectful in style, existing literature suggests children are more likely not to listen to parental orders and to develop more impulsive behaviors. This study aims to understand how parental substance use and parenting style impacts attachment and behavior patterns in college students. Research has previously focused on how parenting can lead to adolescent substance use or how adolescent substance use affects the parent(s.) More research, however, needs to be done on parents' use of substances and how this affects their parenting style or children’s development. This study hypothesizes that college students (in their childhood) whose parent(s) used substances will be more likely to (a) report higher scores on uninvolved or neglectful parenting style compared to permissive, authoritarian, authoritative parenting styles, (b) will report insecure attachment with their parents, compared to secure attachment (c) will report higher impulsive behaviors compared to those whose parents did not use substances. Lastly, this study hypothesized that parental substance use may indirectly affect impulsive behavior through parenting styles. Data collection is ongoing from Murray State University students using a survey, with a sample of 79 participants so far. Results will be presented during scholars week.