Maternal Over-Protection and Achievement Motivation among High School Students

The present study was undertaken to examine the achievement motivation of adolescent boys and girls as a function of perceived maternal protection. In a quasi-experimental study, twenty five adolescents who perceive themselves as highly protected by their mothers were compared with another group of 25 adolescents who do not perceive themselves as highly protected, in terms of their achievement motivation. A sample of 100 students (N=100) studying in grades VIII, IX, and X were administered the Parent-Child Relationship Scale On the basis of their scores on this scale, the top 25 and bottom 25 students comprised the high and low maternal protection groups respectively. Both the groups were administered the Rao's Achievement Motivation Test (D. Gopal Rao). In order to compare the two groups in terms of their achievement motivation scores an independent samples t-test was conducted. Results revealed a significant difference between the high and low maternal protection groups favouring the former with regard to achievement motivation. Results are discussed within the context of the present Indian Society.