Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Dr. Bonnie Nicholson

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Dr. Michael Madson

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Dr. Eric Dahlen

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Abstract

Studies have shown college students to be vulnerable to negative outcomes, including engaging in risky alcohol use (Lewis et al., 2014; Kilwein & Looby, 2018; Cui et al., 2019) and risky sexual behavior (Dir et al, 2014; Trub & Stark, 2017; Kilwien & Looby, 2018). Understanding predictors and mediating variables associated with risky sexual behavior is one important means of improving prevention strategies. Parenting may be one variable associated with risky sex. Overparenting, a parenting style characterized by parental overinvolvement, has received recent attention due to its association with poor outcomes for adolescents and emerging adults, including an increased risk for alcohol use (Schiffrin & Liss, 2017; Cui et al., 2019; Love et al., 2019). One mechanism connecting overparenting to poor outcomes is psychological needs satisfaction (PNS), commonly associated with well-being. No studies to date have explored the relationship between risky sex and overparenting. Therefore, the present study examined the expected relationship between overparenting and risky sexual behavior and investigated the predicted influence of alcohol use and psychological needs satisfaction on this relationship. This study hypothesized: 1) overparenting will be associated with risky sexual behavior in emerging adults, and alcohol use will moderate this relationship and 2) psychological needs satisfaction will partially explain the relationship between overparenting and risky sexual behavior and these paths will be moderated by alcohol use. This study included 158 college students recruited via SONA who completed electronic surveys of overparenting, risky sexual behaviors, alcohol use, and psychological needs satisfaction. Results did not generally support hypotheses although there is some evidence for the indirect effect of overparenting to risky sex via PNS. Considerations for future research are discussed.

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