Helicopter parents: an examination of the correlates of over-parenting of college students

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine antecedents and consequences of parental involvement and over-parenting as it relates to college students’ college experiences and workplace expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was completed by 482 undergraduate college students; the survey contained questions about parenting behaviors, personality and demographic items, and workplace scenarios to which participants responded.

Findings

Statistical analyses revealed that over-parenting was more common when college students lived at home and had fewer siblings. Additionally, over-parenting (but not parental involvement) was associated with lower student self-efficacy as well as maladaptive responses to workplace scenarios.

Research limitations/implications

Data are correlational and were collected from students only. Future longitudinal research that includes the parent and employer perspective is needed.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to empirically examine the antecedents and outcomes associated with over-parenting. Over-parenting is assessed in relation to college and workplace outcomes.

Citation

C. Bradley-Geist, J. and B. Olson-Buchanan, J. (2014), "Helicopter parents: an examination of the correlates of over-parenting of college students", Education + Training, Vol. 56 No. 4, pp. 314-328. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-10-2012-0096