The Mediator Role of Parenting Attitudes in the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Psychosocial Maturation Levels of Emerging Adults

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and psychosocial maturation levels of emerging adults through the mediator role of perceived parental attitudes. For this purpose, Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stages Inventory, the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, Parenting Styles Quastionnaire and a questionnaire to collect data on their demographic characteristics were administered to 452 university students whose ages are 17-30. The findings of the research indicated that, the correlations between psychosocial development levels and all subscales were statistically significant. Parental warmth and control partially mediated the relationship between anxious attachment style and psychosocial maturation. In addition, parental control partially mediated between avoidant attachment style and psychosocial maturation. While parental warmth may be considered as a protector factor for psychosocial maturation of anxious attached individuals; parental control may be as a risk factor for psychosocial maturation of anxious and avoidant attached individuals. In the light of the obtained results, it is revealed that attachment styles and perceived parental attitudes may be notably important for psychosocial maturation levels of emerging adults.

Keywords

• attachment styles
• parental attitudes
• psychosocial meturation