Parental Predictors of Boys' Self-Restraint and Motivation to Achieve at School

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined child-centered and inconsistent parenting practices and parental expectations for children's academic attainment in early adolescence as predictors of midadolescents'self-restraint and motivation to achieve in high school. A sample of 64 boys, 64 mothers, and 48 fathers was followed from the boys' early to midadolescence. Findings from regression analyses indicated that parenting practices and parental expectations during early adolescence were not independent predictors of school motivation when sons' self-restraint in midadolescence was taken into account. However, consistent parenting practices and mothers' expectations for sons' academic attainment in early adolescence were related to sons' motivation to achieve during high school in part by way of sons' self-restraint. These findings were robust when controlling for the potentially confounding effects of parents' socioeconomic status. The role of parents in influencing adolescents' motivation to achieve is discussed.