Date
10-14-2026
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration (PhD)
Chair
Helene Vance
Keywords
emerging adulthood, helicopter parenting, overparenting, psychological need, self-determination theory
Disciplines
Educational Administration and Supervision | Higher Education
Recommended Citation
Carlisle, Benjamin C., "Examining the Predictive Relationship Between Overparenting and Student Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 9022.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/9022
Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study is to determine the relationship between overparenting (helicopter parenting) and basic psychological need satisfaction informed by self-determination theory among emerging adult college students. This study fills a gap in the literature and expands upon existing research by examining this relationship. The target population was residential emerging adult students ages 18–25 at a southern, private university. Using convenience sampling, the researcher distributed surveys within courses and through flyers, resulting in 176 responses. Out of the 176 respondents who began the survey, there was a completion rate of 84.7% giving the sample size of N = 149. The sample was surveyed using questions from the Consolidated Helicopter Parenting Scale and the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale. Data were analyzed using multiple regression resulting in two findings. First, a statistically significant inverse relationship existed between the predictor variable of helicopter parenting and the criterion variable of basic psychological need satisfaction where (β = −.50, p < .001). The next finding was that the predictor variable of gender was not a statistically significant predictor within this study (β = −.01, p = .841). In the conclusion, the findings suggest that if parents use unhealthy levels of intervention within a student’s life, whether male or female, they will have more difficulty feeling satisfaction in autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Future research recommendations include replication at other institutions, further exploration of gender differences, the multidimensionality of helicopter parenting, longitudinal research, and data collection that reduces reliance on self-reported measures.
