| Over the past two decades, the level of parent involvement on college campuses has increased (Janosik, 2004; Merriman, 2008; Wartman & Savage, 2008; Wolf, Sax, & Harper, 2009). The purpose of the qualitative study is to understand the experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of college students with regard to the involvement of their parents during their college experience. The study contains a review of the existing literature on parent involvement in higher education and is guided by attachment theory (Ainsworth, 1989; Bowlby, 1973) and the theory of emerging adulthood (Arnett, 2000). The study includes data from twenty-four undergraduate students gathered through semi-structured interviews. The interviews include questions about student's college experience and the role their parents play throughout the experience. The data in the study was coded and analyzed for themes. The study adds to the body of literature on college student development and emerging adulthood by examining how traditional aged college students experience and perceive the relationship with their parents as they transition from adolescence to young adults. The study also informs the practice of designing services aimed at college students and their parents/families. |
