Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
The Role of Parental Monitoring in the Relationships Among Academic Motivation, School Engagement, and Dropout
Gaetana Affuso1, Nicola Picone1, Ugo Pace2
1Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.
Abstract:
School dropout is an issue that requires the attention of institutions. Related research indicates that both family (e.g., parental monitoring) and personal (e.g., academic motivation and school engagement) factors affect adolescents' decision to quit school. As no studies have jointly examined these variables in Italian adolescents over time, this two-wave study aimed to investigate the role of parental monitoring in the relationships among academic motivation, school engagement, and dropout intention. This study enrolled 377 adolescents (boys = 178; Mage = 14.41, SDage = 0.72) from two public upper secondary schools in Italy, and followed them over 6 months from November 2024 (T0) to May 2025 (T1). They completed a questionnaire at T0 and T1 comprising the following measures: parental monitoring, academic motivation, school engagement, and dropout intention. Structural equation modelling showed a good fit to the data, χ2(54) = 84.589, p = 0.005, RMSEA = 0.04 [0.02-0.05], CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.02. At T0, parental monitoring was positively associated with academic motivation and school engagement and negatively associated with dropout intention. A positive reciprocal association was observed between academic motivation and school engagement at T0 and T1. Academic motivation and school engagement at T0 were negatively associated with dropout intention at T1. Parental monitoring at T0 had a significant indirect effect on dropout intention at T1 via academic motivation and school engagement at T0. These findings suggest that interventions targeting family and personal factors may reduce school dropout rates among adolescents.
Related Concept Videos
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Strategies of Self-Presentation III: Self-Monitoring
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture