This study examined the degree to which the adult student's perception of family behavior, defined as adaptability and cohesion, was associated with academic achievement. The two nominal independent variables, adaptability and cohesion, described family behavior in terms of perceived flexibility and emotional bonding. Perceived flexibility and emotional bonding were measured using Olson's (et al, 1982) Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES II), and was presented in one of four levels. The nominal dependent variable, academic achievement, was defined as cumulative grade point average and was presented in one of two levels, one above and one below the median. Of the 519 students surveyed in 29 credit-earning community college classes, the target population consisted of 291 students 24 years of age and older. / The Chi Square Test of Independence was used to determine associations between each level of adaptability and cohesion and high and low academic achievement. There were no significant associations between family adaptability and cohesion and academic achievement. However, when age was factored in, adults 35 years old and older perceiving their family as either structured or rigid achieved higher grade point averages than similar students who perceived their family as either flexible or chaotic. When marital status was factored in, there was a tendency for unmarried students perceiving their family as either rigid or chaotic to achieve higher grade point averages than unmarried students perceiving their family as either structured or flexible. When marital status was factored in, there was also a tendency for married students perceiving their family as either separated or connected to achieve higher grade point averages than married students perceiving their family as either connected or enmeshed. / Though family adaptability and cohesion did not directly influence academic achievement, associations were observed when other personal and situational characteristics were considered. Perceived family behavior was therefore believed to be a factor in the academic achievement of adult community college students, particularly when age and marital status were considered. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-04, Section: A, page: 1012. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1984.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75305 |
| Contributors | REEVES, RODNEY DAVID., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 124 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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