Parental Relationship Quality, Shyness, and College Academic Success

The goal of this study was to investigate how positive parental relationships and shyness affect the academic performance of college students. A total of 123 first year college students reported on the quality of their relationships with a father and mother figure and their shyness during the fall of their first year. The students’ cumulative grade point average (GPA) and retention information (graduated versus not graduated) was provided by the college registrar’s office five years later. Positive relationships with fathers predicted higher GPA and greater likelihood of graduation. In contrast, shyness and positive relationships with mothers did not significantly predict GPA and graduation. Positive relationship with fathers may be more impactful on students than positive relationships with mothers due to the amount of parental involvement and the type of relationship that students have with both parents while they are in college. Getting parents (particularly fathers) involved in college functions may promote academic success in college students