Parenting Practices Among Two-Parent, African American Families of Preteen Children

Parenting Practices Among Two-Parent, African American Families of Preteen Children by Ryan O’Neal Drakes MA, Long Island University/Brooklyn Campus, 2006 BA, Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University February 2019 Abstract Positive parenting promotes children’s proper cognitive and personality development and supports high academic performance and achievement. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between social support and positive parenting practices among two-parent, African American families of preteens. This study was based on Baumrind’s model of parenting behaviors. Survey and correlation methods were used to gather data from a convenience sample of 103 2-parent, African American families with preteens (aged 9-11 years) from different income neighborhoods in a Northeastern metropolitan region of the United States. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted. According to study findings, social support (coparenting support and perceived functional support from friends and family) significantly predicted positive parenting practices (quality of the parent/child relationship, parental monitoring, and consistency of parents’ disciplinary practices). When the independent contributions of each of the social support variables were examined in the regression analyses, only perceived functional support from friends and family on parental monitoring and consistency of parents’ disciplinary practices was statistically significant. Implications forPositive parenting promotes children’s proper cognitive and personality development and supports high academic performance and achievement. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between social support and positive parenting practices among two-parent, African American families of preteens. This study was based on Baumrind’s model of parenting behaviors. Survey and correlation methods were used to gather data from a convenience sample of 103 2-parent, African American families with preteens (aged 9-11 years) from different income neighborhoods in a Northeastern metropolitan region of the United States. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted. According to study findings, social support (coparenting support and perceived functional support from friends and family) significantly predicted positive parenting practices (quality of the parent/child relationship, parental monitoring, and consistency of parents’ disciplinary practices). When the independent contributions of each of the social support variables were examined in the regression analyses, only perceived functional support from friends and family on parental monitoring and consistency of parents’ disciplinary practices was statistically significant. Implications for positive social change include a need to educate 2-parent, African American couples on the importance of maintaining positive relationships among themselves and with social support networks and the role that coparenting support and functional support from friends and family has on positive parenting. Parenting Practices Among Two Parent, African American Families of Preteen Children by Ryan O’Neal Drakes MA, Long Island University/Brooklyn Campus, 2006 BA, Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University February 2019 Dedication This manuscript is first dedicated to my late grandmother, Ernesta Drakes. Her unwavering hard work in the sugar cane plantations of Barbados under the extremely hot sun for very little pay, and immigrating to America at the tender age of 55, seeking and achieving the American dream, set the Drakes family’s foundation for appreciating hard work, pursuing dreams, and developing an impeccably resolute spirit. This manuscript is also dedicated to the memory of the late Betty James. Mother James was a mother, grandmother and friend who exemplified strength and resolve throughout the challenges of her life. She believed and demonstrated to others that the precious gifts of life were God and Jesus Christ, honesty, humility, humor, and humanitarianism. Mother James’ legacy of love and compassion for others will forever live on. Finally, this manuscript is dedicated to the memory of my good friend, the late Beverly Brandt. Although Beverly is no longer here physically, our friendship and love for each other is eternal. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge Dr. Maxwell Rainforth, my dissertation chair at Walden University. With a spirit of understanding, patience, and help, he has encouraged, supported, and guided me through my dissertation. As a result of his guidance, edits and comments and words of encouragement, this manuscript took shape into a scholarly work. I would like to thank my committee member, Dr. Karine Clay, whose comments have also been very instrumental in making this manuscript scholarly. I would like to thank my girlfriend, Tanisha James, for her love and for being that solid rock in my life. She has been my eyes in helping me construct this manuscript. I would also like to give a special thanks to my children, Aaron, Amarr, and Kimberly Drakes, for their love and for being patient and understanding with me. I would further like to give a special thanks to my parents, Merna Drakes and Henderson Greaves, and my friends, Alice Sullivan, for all of their love and support through this chapter in my life and for helping me achieve my life dreams.