Academic achievement in First Nations adolescents: the role of parental and peer attachment in promoting successful outcomes

The present study is an examination of the association between attachment relationships and academic achievement in First Nations adolescents. Mother, father and peer attachment was assessed using the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA; Armsden & Greenberg, 1987) and final grades were...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: D'Arrisso, Alexandra
Other Authors: Jacob A Burack (Internal/Supervisor)
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: McGill University 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=96881
Description
Summary:The present study is an examination of the association between attachment relationships and academic achievement in First Nations adolescents. Mother, father and peer attachment was assessed using the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA; Armsden & Greenberg, 1987) and final grades were used as a measure of academic achievement. Seventy-six First Nations students from a remote community in northern Quebec participated in the study. The results of a regression analysis indicated that attachment to father significantly predicted academic achievement. This finding supports the notion that Aboriginal fathers in Canada may represent an untapped resource in promoting the successful outcomes of their children (Ball & George, 2006). Future research should focus on whether Western conceptualizations of attachment are appropriate for use with First Nations adolescents in light of the unique cultural and environmental settings in which they live. Cette étude porte sur l'examen du lien entre les relations d'attachement et la réussite scolaire chez les adolescents des Premières Nations. L'attachement à la mère, au père et aux pairs est analysé en utilisant l'Inventaire de l'Attachement aux Parents et aux Pairs (IPPA : Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, de Armsden & Greenberg, 1987), et les notes finales sont utilisées comme mesure de la réussite scolaire. Soixante-seize étudiants des Premières Nations provenant d'une communauté éloignée du nord du Québec ont participé à cette étude. Les résultats de l'analyse de régression indiquent que l'attachement au père prédit de manière significative la réussite scolaire. Ce constat soutient l'idée que les pères aborigènes du Canada pourraient représenter une ressource non-exploitée dans la promotion de la réussite de leurs enfants (Ball & George, 2006). Par ailleurs, les recherches futures devraient se concentrer sur la pertinence d'utiliser une conceptualisation occidentale de l'attachement auprès d'adolescents des Premières Nations, compte-tenu du cadre environnemental et culturel unique dans lequel ils vivent.