Parental Control and Its Impact on Social Isolation and Parental Dependence among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The current research was set to explore the effects of parental control on social isolation and parental dependence on the students in the university, as well as to examine the gender differences in these variables. Quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used. The sample size was (N = 250) students in a university between the ages of 18-25 years and purposive sampling was applied. The standardized self-report measures were used to collect data, such as the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Parent Adult-Child Relationship Questionnaire (PACQ). Statistical tests were performed by means of SPSS 25 involving the regression analysis and independent samples t-tests. It turned out that parental control was positively and non-significantly associated with social isolation, with 3 percent of the variance being explained. Conversely, parental dependence was positively and significantly predicted by parental control as it explained 4 percent of the variance. Such findings indicate that although parental control might not have a strong impact on the level of social isolation among students, it has a significant impact on instilling a sense of parental dependence among students in their early adulthood. The differences in genders revealed that females reported greater amounts of social isolation, and parental dependence than males, although majority of the differences were not significant with parental dependence being marginally significant. In general, the paper reveals that the parental control still has an effect on the psychological outcomes of college students, especially concerning dependency patterns. The results highlight the significance of encouraging autonomy-supportive parenting behavior in the effort of supporting healthy emotional and social growth. The research adds to the available literature by offering an input into the importance of parenting practices in young adulthood in a university setting. The relationships need to be studied in future research by longitudinal designs and other psychosocial factors.