Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Wilson McDermut

Second Advisor

Ernest Hodges

Abstract

Researchers, during the past few decades have found there to be an association between parenting styles and levels of depression in children, adolescents, and adults. In the current study, the effects of parenting styles on depression among college students was targeted. This current study predicted that: 1. Females will show greater levels of depression than males. 2. Asians will show increased levels of depression. 3. Participants with authoritarian parents will exhibit significantly higher levels of depression as compared to authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved parenting styles. In addition to these, additional exploratory analyses were also conducted. Two hundred eighty-eight college undergraduates participated. There were two hundred thirty-one females and fifty-seven males. Participants retrospectively completed questionnaires about parental bonding in childhood and answered questions about current levels of depression and anxiety. There were no significant differences in level of depression reported by men versus women. Results showed Asians experience higher levels of depression than other ethnicities. However, there was no overall significant difference in young adults with authoritarian parents exhibiting higher levels of depression as compared to levels of depression in students who described their parents as having an authoritative, permissive or uninvolved parenting styles for father/male guardian.

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