Conclusion and Implications Hypotheses and Results Parenting Styles and their Effects on Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Emerging Adults Brandi Williams & Laraine Glidden, PhD Department of Psychology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland Hypotheses and Results Introduction Emerging adulthood is the period of time between adolescence and adulthood in which the Emerging Adult (EA) has not yet assumed an adult role, but makes important decisions in preparation for adulthood. During this period of time EAs are inclined to make decisions that are particularly risky. The current study examines four realms of risk-taking, risky drinking, risky driving, and risky substance use. The type of parenting the EA experienced can continue to influence the decisions they make. In accordance with previous research, the current study focused on Baumrind’s (1971) parenting styles: Permissive parenting: High warmth, low control. Allow their children to govern themselves and they encourage verbal give and take. Authoritarian parenting: Low warmth, high control. Govern children’s behavior with strict rules. Discourage verbal give and take. Authoritative parenting: High warmth, medium control. Allow children to take part in decisions made Previous research has discussed inconsistencies between authoritative parenting styles and authoritarian parenting styles and which are the best predictors of risk taking. Paternal warmth has also been found to be a negative predictor of risk-taking among EAs. Methods Participants Participants were obtained from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. A total of 197 students participated in the experiment (169 female, 25 male, 3 missing) that were all in the Emerging Adult age range (17-24). Materials Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), 30 items that measured parental permissiveness, authoritarianism, authoritativeness. As I was growing up, my mother seldom gave me expectations and guidelines for my behavior. (Permissive parenting) Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), 25 items that measured parental over protection and control. Spoke to me in a warm and friendly voice (Caring parent) Risk and Reckless Behavior Questionnaire (RRBQ) Rank of Risk Procedure Participants first indicated whether or not their parents were single, remarried, or intact. This strategy helped to determine whether or not they would take the PBI and the PAQ for both their mother and father or if they would just complete one for their single parent. All participants took the RRBQ and completed the Rank of Risk. GENDERED RESULTS Hypothesis: Male participants will be more likely to take risks than female participants. Findings: Male participants, M= 1.27, SD=.60, tended to participate in unsafe sex with more than one partner at a time, more than female participants, M=1.05, SD=.31, t(191)=2.02, p<.05. PARENTING STYLES Hypothesis: Participants who perceive their parents as being authoritative will take more risks than participants who have authoritarian parents. Findings: Participants who perceived their fathers to be more authoritative had more sex without contraceptives, t(148)=2.68, p<.05, took more hallucinogens, t(148)=2.29, p<.05, and ran more red lights, t(150)=2.12, p<.05, than participants who perceived their fathers to be authoritarian. The data for mothers was not significant. Hypothesis: As the frequency of the risk behavior increases, the rank of risk will decrease. Hypothesis: Risk-taking will be particularly high for risky drinking and texting and talking while on the cell phone due to the type of population. RISK TAKING Hypothesis: As the age of participants increases, the frequency of risk taking will decrease. FAMILY STRUCTURE Hypothesis: Participants with single or re-married parents will be more likely to take risks than participants from intact families. Findings: Participants who had parents who were re-married were more likely to text and drive, t(154)=2.47, p<.05, and to have unsafe sex with more than one partner at a time, t(154)=2.17, p<.05, than participants who came from families who were still intact. Results for single parents were not significant. Even though a large majority of students on this campus are under the legal age to drink, many of them are still participating in risky drinking behavior. In general the involvement in risk-taking was extremely high, especially for drinking and texting and talking while driving. Though there is a law that bans anyone from being on their cell phone while driving, participants still indicated that they had engaged in this risk behavior. Some gendered effects were found for paternal warmth and control, but very few results were actually significant. Reference: Baumrind, D. (1971). Current patterns of parental authority. Developmental Psychology Monograph, 4, Figure 3. Frequency of risk-taking vs. respondent participation in risk behaviors. Figure 2. Rank of risk vs.frequency of participation in risk behaviors. Figure 1. Age of participant and the frequency of risk- taking.