An Analysis of the Construction of Parent Identity in Higher Education: A Mixed Methods Study

• Main Author: Johnson, Daniel W
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Communication
• ISBN: 0355334968; 9780355334968

This mixed methods study examined the construction of parental identity and interactions at a midsize four-year western private university. Survey responses were collected from 163 undergraduate students and 448 parents, who completed qualitative measures examining student and parent descriptions of parental interactions in higher education and quantitative measures examining frequency of parental intervention, levels of relational closeness, and use of mediated communication. Qualitative findings indicated that the student and parent participants were constructing parental identity at a private university through six emergent themes that describe parents as Financial Supporters, Academic Consultants, Emotional Cheerleaders, Housing Advisors, Advocates for Healthcare, and Advocates for Independence. Quantitative findings among the private university participants indicated parental intervention is positively associated with relational closeness among both fathers and mothers; in addition parental intervention among mothers is positively associated with email and video teleconference; and among fathers, parental intervention is positively associated with phone, text messaging, email, social networking service, and video teleconference. Ideally these findings can assist students, parents, and university personnel to effectively and successfully navigate the modern college experience.