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Differences in Perceived Parenting Styles of Homeless and Non-Homeless
Thomas Epling
Austin Community College

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Abstract
Research involving the styles of parenting developed by Baumrind in 1966, including the
authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive styles, have indicated that certain behavioral
outcomes are more associated with one style than the other. The present study seeks to determine
the style of parenting most often associated with homelessness and to determine whether there is
a significant difference between perceived parenting styles of homeless and non-homeless. A
total of 200 participants, 100 in each group would be asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding
the style of parenting they experienced in their original home environment. The scores from
these responses will be put through a T-test to determine if any prevalent correlation exists
between the two groups. Based on previous research I predict that the permissive style of
parenting will be more often correlated to homelessness than the authoritative or authoritarian
styles. I also posit that there will be significant differences between the perceived parenting
methods of homeless and non-homeless, mainly between the amount of behavioral control and
responsiveness.

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Homeless people are among the most vulnerable groups in America today. People tend to
imagine the average homeless person as an old, decrepit male. However, restricting the definition
to this image does not fairly represent the homeless community. There are many women,
children, and young adults that turn to the streets in order to escape abusive relationships or
neglectful homes. Those without a home often find themselves in dangerous situations such as
interacting with other, possibly violent homeless individuals, when in search of food or shelter.
Researchers have attempted to gain insight into the backgrounds of homeless people, such as
original home environment and current mental health, in order to better understand and treat
homeless persons. This study differs from past research by seeking to determine what parenting
style is most prevalent in the homeless community and finding whether there are considerable
differences between perceived parenting methods of homeless and non-homeless. Furthermore, I
predict that differences between perceived parenting styles among homeless and non-homeless
will be significant and that the most commonly reported typology of parenting of homeless will
be the permissive style.
This study will use the three parenting methods as identified by Diana Baumrind in 1966.
As a result of her study, Baumrind discovered three distinct styles of parenting including
authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. In the authoritative style, the parent attempts to
control the child’s behavior without demanding complete obedience. Parents use reasonable
restrictions and explain to the child the logic behind their use of control. In the authoritarian
method, parents expect unquestioned obedience from the child and typically resort to aggressive
punishment such as spanking, when the child’s behavior or beliefs conflict with what the parent
believes is correct. Lastly, parents who adopt the permissive style offer themselves as resources

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for the child but allow the child to regulate their own behavior. Furthermore, the parents do not
attempt to control or shape the child’s behavior.
There is now a plethora of information available due to studies that have explored the
parenting styles developed by Baumrind. Much of the research in this area has explored the
varying effects of parenting styles on children’s behavior. Studies performed by Steinberg et. al,
in 1994 found that authoritative parenting is closely linked with positive behavioral outcomes
such as higher competence, autonomy, self-esteem, better academic performance, and better
problem solving skills. Moreover, children with authoritative parents engage in less violent
behavior than their peers who experienced other parenting styles (Chipman, Olsen, Klein, Hart &
Robinson, 2000). In contrast, it has been shown that children, who experienced authoritarian or
permissive parenting with variations in neglectfulness and warmth, are more likely to use
alcohol. Montgomery, Fisk and Craig (2008) wrote, “alcohol abuse was higher among
adolescents who perceived low parental control, and the children of authoritative parents were
less likely to use illicit substances than those of neglectful parents” (p. 641). It can been seen that
negative behavioral outcomes such as delinquency, alcohol and substance abuse, and decreased
academic performance are closely associated with neglectful parenting practices such as used in
the authoritarian style (Chipman et al., 2000). On the contrary, the authoritative style of
parenting, which employs greater attentiveness to the child and increased demand of maturity,
yields more positive behavioral outcomes. However, further research has revealed that despite
the type of parenting style used, varying levels of parental control and behavioral control can
lead to similar outcomes in terms of behavior. Gray and Steinberg (1999) found, “the effects of
behavioral supervision on problems of self-regulation reached a plateau at moderate levels of
control. High levels of monitoring had no greater impact than medium levels on outcomes such

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as grades and drug use” (p. 575). This leads to the conclusion that moderate or healthy amounts
of parenting subtypes such as behavioral control will yield the most positive outcome.
To my knowledge, there are no studies that have looked at perceived parenting styles in a
sample of homeless people, giving us little insight into the childhood and cognitive development
of the average homeless person and the interactions experienced between them and their parents.
However, efforts have been made to investigate certain factors of homelessness. In the article,
“Childhood Risk Factors in Dually Diagnosed Homeless Adults”, authors Blankertz, Cnaan, and
Freedman (1993) built on previous research and studied the significance of childhood risk
factors, such as sexual abuse, within a sample of dually diagnosed homeless adults. As
concluded by Kempe and Kempe (1984) and Wyatt and Powell (1988), “sexual abuse in
childhood has a severe negative impact on childhood development and behavior and a lasting
effect on adult behavior” (Blankertz et al., 1993, p. 587). Using this knowledge Blankertz et al.,
(1993) designed their study to not only view the prevalence of 5 childhood risk factors among
their sample of homeless but to also compare the influence each childhood risk factor had on the
ability of the subject to benefit from treatment services (p. 589). For the purpose of this study,
samples of homeless will only include individuals without homes or shelters, excluding any who
may be in temporary housing. This present study seeks to determine the parenting styles most
associated with homelessness. By revealing which types of parenting most often correlate with
homelessness, researchers would not only broaden their conceptualization of homeless people
but could also improve methods of treatment utilized by social workers and counselors.
Additionally, this research could enrich current positive parenting practices by teaching parents
which practices to avoid and how to react to negative behaviors in their children.

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This study will utilize the haphazard method of sampling, primarily canvassing the west
campus area of UT Austin. Both homeless and non-homeless participants will be asked to fill out
a 62-item questionnaire concerning how they were parented by their mother and father,
developed by Robinson et. al (1995). This questionnaire includes items representing the
parenting styles presented by Baumrind including the authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive
styles. Participants will rate each item, reflecting on the behavior of their parents, on a five-point
scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Robinson et. al (1995) developed this measure by
combining data from both mothers and fathers, who reported on their own parenting (Chipman et
al., 2000). The questionnaire consists of 27 items for the authoritative pattern, 20 items for the
authoritarian pattern, and 15 items for the permissive pattern. In return for participating, each
subject will receive 25 dollars and homeless participants will also receive pamphlets for local
shelters and rehabilitation centers. In an effort to increase generalizability, this study will require
no less than 200 participants, 100 for each group.
Primarily, we will look for the most prevalent style of parenting reported by our sample
of homeless. Then we will determine whether there is a significant difference between perceived
parenting styles of homeless and non-homeless using a T-test to compare the scores from each
sample. I posit that the permissive style of parenting will be more closely associated with
homelessness than the authoritarian or authoritative styles. Additionally, I believe there will be a
considerable difference among perceived parenting styles of homeless and non-homeless.
My hypothesis is based on previous research conducted by Hart et. al, (1997) indicating
that adolescents from permissive homes report a higher frequency of drug and alcohol use and
non-conforming behaviors, which are associated with homelessness (Chipman et al., 2000).
Additionally, the permissive parenting style has been shown to be more common in families of

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poverty and to increase in prevalence as one descends the class hierarchy (Koo & Chan, 2008).
This leads to the conclusion that homeless people may have been raised in families in intense
poverty experiencing the permissive style of parenting, leading to non-optimal behavioral
development.
We can be certain this study obtains both face and content validity by utilizing the 62-
item questionnaire developed by Robinson et. al, (1995). Previous research projects using this
questionnaire have shown that the items do in fact accurately measure parenting styles as
categorized by Baumrind. In contrast, the external validity of this study may be called into
question because the samples examined were haphazardly gathered in the west campus area of
Austin, Texas. However, participants in this area are likely to be UT students whom, like other
university students, prove to be a highly diverse group in terms of age, gender, and socio-
economic status. It is also difficult to assume that responses from both groups on the
retrospective reporting of parenting are completely accurate. However, evidence asserted by
Quinton & Rutter (1998) suggests that, “when issues are of importance to the individual, reliable
recall is more likely” (Chipman et al., 2000, p. 9). This study will assume that the relationship
between the respondents and their parents is important enough to recall accurate, reliable
memories.
In addition to simply obtaining this knowledge, the findings could also benefit society as
a whole through the education and reinforcement of positive methods of parenting. Results from
this research could also greatly increase awareness of homeless people and supplement current
methods of treatment and rehabilitation utilized by counselors and social workers. The 62-item
parenting questionnaire could be employed prior to admitting a homeless person into a shelter or
care facility in order to identify specific parenting styles and stylistic dimensions that the subject

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has experienced. This would allow counselors to design treatment specific to their client and
hopefully enhance rehabilitation. For the objective of this study, the definition of homeless was
confined to those living on the street, excluding any who may be in a temporary home or shelter.
Future research may want to include responses from those in temporary housing in order to
broaden the dimensions within a homeless sample and increase generalizability.
This project also chose to only require that respondents self report on a questionnaire
reflecting styles of parenting. Past research has suggested that not only the gender of the child
but also the gender of the parent will influence the style of parenting implemented. According to
Lytton and Romney, (1991); Siegal, (1987), and Webster-Stratton, (1996), “parents use power-
assertion, physical punishment, and verbal hostility more frequently with sons than daughters”
(Chipman et al., 2000, p. 6). Additionally, studies conducted by Hart et. al, (1992) indicate that,
“fathers engage in less direct, one-on-one interaction with their children and assume less
responsibility for their children’s care and discipline than do mothers” (Chipman et al., 2000, p.
6). Researchers can build on the current study by having participants fill out a background
questionnaire regarding the subjects age, ethnicity, gender, and gender of parents to investigate
these confounding variables. Future investigators can also expand this research by increasing the
size of the overall sample and collecting participants from all over the United States in order to
decrease the confidence interval and increase generalizability. Homelessness is a problem that
has afflicted man since the 1800’s and is greatly associated with mental health issues and
extreme poverty. Exploring the childhood of homeless individuals and the interaction between
their parents and them as children is necessary in enhancing methods to prevent and improve this
horrible condition.

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References
Gray, M. R., & Steinberg, L. (1999). Unpacking authoritative parenting: Reassessing a
multidimensional construct. Journal of Marriage and Family, 61(3), 574-587. Retrieved
from http://www.jstor.org/stable/353561.
Chipman, S., Olsen, S. F., Klein, S., Hart, C. H., & Robinson, C. C. (2000). Differences in
retrospective perceptions of parenting of male and female inmates and non-
inmates. Family Relations,49(1), 5-11. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/585697.
Montgomery, C., Fisk, J. E., & Craig, L. (2008). The effects of perceived parenting style on the
propensity for illicit drug use: the importance of parental warmth and control. Drug and
Alcohol Review, 27(6), 640-649. doi: 10.1080/09595230802392790
Koo, A., & Chan, T. W. (2008). Parenting and youth outcomes in the uk. European Sociological
Review, 27(3), 385-399. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.lsproxy.austincc.edu/stable/41236599
Blankertz, L. E., Cnaan, R. A., & Freedman, E. (1993). Childhood risk factors in dually
diagnosed homeless adults. Social Work, 38(5), 587-596. Retrieved from
http://www.ebscohost.com