Behind the Culture: Parenting Styles, Self-Esteem and Hookup Culture

Authors

• Mia Ma, Belmont UniversityFollow
• Natasha Lumb, Belmont UniversityFollow
• Mallory Morton, Belmont UniversityFollow
• Nadya Clark, Belmont UniversityFollow

Publication Date

Fall 11-23-2026

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Patrick Morse

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

The present study will examine whether parenting styles are linked to self esteem and endorsement of hookup culture, which briefly can be defined as the social acceptance of casual romantic and/or sexual partnerships. Prior research has suggested parenting styles may be related to young adults’ relationships and hookup behaviors (Johnson, 2013). In addition, research has found that differing parenting styles were related to how adults think about romantic relationships (Wang & Chen, 2023). Further findings show that overparenting has been linked to college women’s decision-making in regards to romantic partnerships (Jiao et al., 2025). Past research is influential in understanding the role parenting may play in young adult’s romantic relationships and hookup behaviors. It is important to note that there is still more to be studied in regards to how parenting styles relate to college students’ view of hookup culture as well as how self esteem may be connected to both parenting styles and hookup culture endorsement.

Participants were from a pool of 541 Belmont University students of the age of 18  and above who completed a series of self reported questionnaires. For this study data from the Parenting Authority Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and Endorsement of Hookup Culture Index were analyzed to collect data.

We anticipate results to indicate a statistically significant correlation between parenting styles and self esteem, a statistically significant relationship between self esteem and endorsement of hookup culture, as well as a statistically significant link between parenting styles and endorsement of hookup culture. Therefore, the hypotheses will be supported.

Conclusively, the purpose of the current study is to explore the relationships between parenting styles, self-esteem, and endorsement of hookup culture among college students.

Recommended Citation

Jiao, C., Lee, C. T., Cui, M., & Fincham, F. D. (2025). Overparenting and female college students’ decision-making into romantic relationships and hookups. Emerging Adulthood, 13(3), 625–635. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968251322205 Johnson, M. D. (2013). Parent–child relationship quality directly and indirectly influences hooking up behavior reported in young adulthood through alcohol use in adolescence. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(8), 1463–1472. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-013-0098-9 Wang, Z., & Chen, W.-W. (2023). Is the way I was raised linked to how I love? Perceived parenting and implicit theories of relationships. Emerging Adulthood, 11(1), 74–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968221130920