Does parent-child attachment influence later parenting style and caregiving with own offspring?

My name is Tilsa Slatter and I am conducting a research project under the supervision of Dr Mark Stokes, towards a PhD at Deakin University. This means that I will be preparing a Thesis. I would like to invite you to participate in this research.

I am conducting this research to explore whether an adult's perception of their relationship with their own caregiver(s) in childhood, whether they were biological parents, stepparents or otherwise, affects their later parenting style, caregiving of, and attachment to their own biological or step-children.

If you chose to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire that inquires about aspects of your parenting style and your relationship with your child or stepchild. We will also ask about your perception of your relationship with your own parents during childhood (being either your stepparents and/or biological parents) and their beliefs and behaviours as parents. You must be over 18 years old to participate and must be a biological parent or step-parent of at least one son or daughter under the age of 30 years.

The questionnaire will firstly enquire about demographic information such as age, gender, and family composition (i.e., How many biological children and/or stepchildren you have, their ages, etc), and your family structure as a child (i.e., If you were cared for by biological parents and/or stepparents). The questionnaire will then ask you to indicate how true given statements are about your own parents (mother and father, stepmother and stepfather) during childhood, for example, “Spoke to me in a warm and friendly voice”. You will also be asked to indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with certain statements regarding your caregivers, for example, “As I was growing up my mother would get very upset if I tried to disagree with her”. Your own beliefs as a parent will also be explored, by indicating how strongly you agree or disagree with statements such as “Most of the time I do what my children want when making family decisions”. Your individual general attachment style will also be inquired about, by asking you to indicate how much you agree or disagree with statements such as “I prefer to depend on myself rather than other people”. Finally, you will be asked some brief questions regarding your beliefs and experiences with child rearing. The questionnaire will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.

Some individuals may be at risk of experiencing emotional distress to some extent as the questions enquire about one's relationship with their parents, their upbringing, and their beliefs about parenting and child rearing.

As this study is completely voluntary you are under no obligation to participate and you may withdraw from the study at any time prior to the submission of the questionnaire for any reason, or avoid answering questions which are felt to be too personal or intrusive, without any effects occurring for you. If, however, you do feel the need to discuss any issues or problems you may have regarding the information sought or topics raised by this questionnaire, or other matter, please call Parentline on 13 22 89 or Life Line on 13 11 14. All aspects of the study, including results, will be strictly confidential and only the researchers will have access to information on participants. To maintain confidentiality no names, addresses, or other identifying information will be collected. By completing and returning the questionnaire you are indicating that you consent to take part in this research.

Storage of the data collected will adhere to the University regulations and be kept in secure storage for 6 years. A report of the study may be submitted for publication, but individual participants will not be identifiable in such a report, as only aggregated data will be reported.

If you have any queries, would like further information about the study, or would like to be informed of the aggregate research findings, please contact Tilsa Slatter on  (03) 92517235 or tus@deakin.edu.au.