Parental Emotional Support, Science Self-Efficacy, And Choice of Science Major in Undergraduate Women (Women's Science Education‪)‬

Former participants in a high school enrichment program for girls interested in science careers were surveyed 1 to 2 years after high school graduation. After reporting their college major, they completed measures of science self-efficacy and quality of emotional bonds with parents. Of the 41 women, 5 were not enrolled in college. Those actually majoring in science (n = 23) reported significantly higher science self-efficacy than those who were undecided or had chosen nonscience majors (n = 13). Science self-efficacy was significantly negatively associated with recollections of fathers as having been highly controlling and likely to use a "love withdrawal" parenting style. **********