Do Parents Feel Autonomous, Competent, and Connected When Engaging in Their Child's Schooling?

• In Event: Parents as Vital Collaborators

Abstract

This study examined parents’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness toward their involvement in their child’s schooling during elementary school. To our knowledge, no study tried to examine these mechanisms underlying parental school involvement, which from a self-determination perspective, should explain the quality of such involvement. A first study analyzed parents’ account of their school involvement (N = 113) and found that manifestations of all three needs could be identified in their discourse. These findings were replicated in two samples of parents surveyed longitudinally (N1 = 1017; N2 = 1448). Results indicated that parents’ needs are more satisfied than frustrated and that their need for relatedness is the most satisfied. Recommendations for intervention and policy will be proposed.

Authors

• Catherine Ratelle, Université Laval
  Non-Presenting Author

• Genevieve Boisclair Chateauvert, Université Laval
  Presenting Author

• Stéphane Duchesne, Université Laval
  Non-Presenting Author

• André Plamondon, Université Laval
  Non-Presenting Author

• Julien S Bureau, Université Laval
  Non-Presenting Author

• David Litalien, Université Laval
  Non-Presenting Author