A Sibling Comparison Study Exploring Effects of Parenting on Self-Esteem in Adolescents

A Sibling Comparison Study Exploring Effects of Parenting on Self-Esteem in Adolescents

Presenter(s)

Molly Griffin

Comments

Presentation: 1:00-1:20 p.m., Kennedy Union 331

Description

Prior research has suggested a link between self-esteem in children and adolescentsand the parenting styles and behaviors of their parents. Research has identified dimensions ofwarmth, control, autonomy support, trust, flexibility, and demandingness as potential variablesexplaining this relationship. Existing literature has been limited by confounding variables suchas genetic influences, home environment, race, culture, and socioeconomic status, as well as by alack of longitudinal data. The current study uses a sibling comparison design to control for theinfluence of these genetic and environmental variables and allow for a more accurate estimate ofthe link between parenting and self-esteem. It uses data from the Children of the NationalLongitudinal Survey of Youths (CNLSY) which includes 11,545 biological offspring of womenin the previously collected data set, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 (NLSY79).The data on parenting styles and behaviors was taken from three domains of the CNLSY: theshort form HOME survey, a report of engagement, and a survey of perceptions of autonomy,disharmony, and intimacy. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Asignificant association was found between intimacy and self-esteem scores in the populationestimate; however, this association was not significant in the sibling-comparison model. Resultssuggest that links between self-esteem and parenting behaviors are confounded by backgroundvariables within families.

Publication Date

4-19-2023

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Jackson Goodnight

Primary Advisor's Department

Psychology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

A Sibling Comparison Study Exploring Effects of Parenting on Self-Esteem in Adolescents

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