211COLLEGE FRESHMEN: ADJUSTMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT IN RELATION TO PARENTING AND IDENTITY STYLE College Freshmen: Adjustment and Achievement in Relation to Parenting and Identity Style

Retention of students is an issue that many universities face. Two factors that may affect retention are adjustment and academic achievement. This study examined whether first semester college students ’ identity styles and their perceptions of their parents parenting styles influence their adjustment and academic achievement. Although the hypotheses were not supported, our data suggest important directions for future research. As higher education has expanded to serve a broader segment of the U.S. population, col-lege populations have diversified. Given the changing needs of students, there has been increasing attention paid to the retention of first year college students and interest in improv-ing graduation rates. Several variables have been linked to retention including academic achievement, connection to college community, and the ability to adjust to college life. This study examines the role of student beliefs and attributes in college adjustment and academic achievement during the first semester of college. By focusing on students ’ attributes and their perceptions of their parents ’ parenting styles, we hope to further the understanding of factor