Parental Influences on Student Self-Determination: Perspectives of College Students With Learning Disabilities

Abstract

This qualitative study explored perspectives of college students with learning disabilities (LD) regarding their self-determination and parental influences on student self-determination during students’ transition from high school to postsecondary education. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with 12 college students with LD. Qualitative analyses were conducted to examine students’ participation in secondary transition, self-determination behaviors, and parental influences on students’ self-determination. The findings identified five important self-determination behaviors (i.e., postsecondary education goal setting and attainment, self-advocacy, being autonomous, self-awareness, and decision-making) students demonstrated in secondary transition. Four themes pertain to parental influences on student self-determination, including encouraging students to be advocates, fostering students’ academic competency, showing moral support and high expectations, and providing opportunities for students to make decisions. Recommendations for engaging parents to promote student self-determination are provided.