Honors Theses and Capstones

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Project Type

Senior Honors Thesis

College or School

COLA

Department

Psychology

Program or Major

Psychology

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

First Advisor

Ellen Cohn

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how three different emotions (Depression, Fear, and Guilt) affect three parenting styles (Permissive, Authoritative, Authoritarian) as a mediator in the relationship with three rule-violating behaviors (Aggressive Behavior, Substance Use, Theft). 236 undergraduate university students were surveyed online using SONA. Multiple regressions were conducted to measure the direct effects between parenting styles and RVB and the direct effect of Emotions and RVB. A Between-Subjects ANOVA test was performed to see if the emotions, when controlling for parenting styles, influenced a compressed RVB variable. Next, we conducted a mediation analysis to see if emotions significantly mediated the effects of parenting styles on all RVBs and the compressed RVB variable. We first found direct relations between fear, guilt, and depression on theft, assault, and substance use. Depression and the three parenting styles were also significantly related. Authoritarian parenting was the only style that influenced theft, assault, and substance use. Furthermore, we found that depression was the only emotion that significantly mediated the three parenting styles and the RVBs. The implications of these findings for research on parenting styles and their effects on youth’s engagement in rule-violating behaviors and the effects of parenting on depression in an adolescent were discussed.

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Available for download on Thursday, September 18, 3023

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