Parental Beliefs about Self-Regulated Learning, Parental Self-Efficacy, Need-Supportive Involvement Behaviors, and Control for Adolescents

This study examined the extent to which parental self-efficacy (PSE) and parental beliefs about self-regulated learning (SRL) are related to the three need-supportive parental involvement behaviors (autonomy support, structure, and emotional involvement) and control that parents provide to their adolescent children (seventh or eighth grade) during learning. Additionally, the study explored whether parental attitudes about SRL contributed uniquely to these parental involvement behaviors after taking into account PSE. Need-supportive parental involvement behaviors are critical for positive adolescent outcomes; however, parental variables that can contribute to effective and ineffective involvement behaviors with adolescents have been neglected in research. The study was conducted utilizing a set of parental self-report questionnaires (N = 89). PSE and parental beliefs about SRL were significantly correlated to the three need-supportive parental involvement behaviors. PSE and parental beliefs about SRL were not significantly correlated to control. Parental control was correlated with parental autonomy support and structure behaviors but not emotional involvement. Results of a series of sequential multiple regression analyses indicated that parental beliefs about SRL significantly predicted need-supportive involvement behaviors and control. PSE also significantly predicted need-supportive involvement behaviors but did not predict control. Methodological limitations related to sample size, self-report measures, and sampling are discussed. Understanding the extent to which parental attitudes about SRL and PSE beliefs have on each aspect of need-supportive parental involvement behavior and control, as conceptualized by the self-determination theory, may help inform future research and provide insights relevant to designing parenting programs and interventions for home learning support