Perceived parenting style, mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and values-based action: Connections and relations

Transitioning to college life frequently requires making unique adjustments as individuals face new psychological demands such as adapting to a variety of social situations, financial worries, and increasing academic stress. Research suggests that three core intra and interpersonal processes of mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and valuesbased action (components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) provide valuable indications of one’s ability to make necessary adjustments in stressful situations. Also known to contribute to an individual’s ability to make important adjustments is the perceived parenting style in which the individual was raised. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived parenting style and mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and values-based action. Data from 109 undergraduate student participants were analyzed using three separate one-way ANOVAs. Results indicated that no statistically significant relationship existed between perceived parenting style and mindfulness or experiential avoidance. A significant relationship was found, however, between perceived parenting style and values-based action, and post hoc comparisons using Tukey procedures indicated that individuals who perceive their parents to be indulgent are more likely to live in value-congruent ways than are individuals who perceive their parents to be neglectful. The implications for how these results may impact and inform college students, researchers, mental health professionals, and parents are provided.