The Relationship between Parental Style and Educational Outcomes of Children in Primary School in Romania

Abstract

In the literature, school achievement is often associated with a parental educational style characterized by a flexible combination between parental affection, support for child's school activities (encouragement, counseling, rewards), and control of these activities. The objective of this study was to investigate how parental educational style and parents’ background influence children school outcomes, taking into account the moderating role of parents’ level of education. In this study we used self-reported data, based on questionnaires, from 100 primary school children from Romania. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression. Our results indicate that parental educational methods and the personal history of parents influence parent – child relationship and are significant factors that affect child's school outcomes. Also, the results do not sustain the moderating role of parent's level of education in the relationship between educational parental practices and children school outcomes. The importance of training programmes for parents is discussed.