Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The mother-daughter dyad is one of the most dynamic, and often most volatile, of the familial relationships. The present study focuses on maternal involvement as one of the primary determinants to a daughter’s perception of the achievement of success. Research indicates that daughters desire a meaningful relationship with their mothers. If this relationship is open, intimate and validating, the daughters tend to have an elevated self-perception and see them selves as successful. Furthermore, the present study supports this research. Highly successful women and pre-professional college-aged women were surveyed with the findings identifying a potential liaison between daughters’ perceptions of the patterns of family communication that exist within their mother-daughter dyad and the daughters’ perceptions of self, perceptions and definitions of success, and the conflict management strategies they employ.