The vast majority of prior research on parent-child relationships has
focused on the implications of secure and insecure attachment for children’s
social, emotional, and behavioral development (see Cassidy & Shaver, 1999).
Much less is currently known about how relationships with parents affect
academic grades and standardized achievement among early adolescents
although research focused on school motivation suggests that positive relationships
with parents can influence students’ engagement in school (Connell
& Wellborn, 1991; Garcia-Reid, Reid, & Peterson, 2005). According to this
perspective, positive relationships with parents can promote a healthy sense
of competence and autonomy within the home which then becomes internalized
and used in other settings such as schools (Connell & Wellborn, 1991;
Furrer & Skinner, 2003). Furthermore, supportive versus nonsupportive
relationships with parents may provide students with a sense of emotional
security, stability, and confidence which can promote healthy adaptation and
exploration in school contexts (Pianta, 1999)