Perceived mattering to parents and friends for university students: a longitudinal study

A multiple indicators multilevel (MIML) latent growth model was used to examine university students' (N=484) perceived mattering to mother, father, and friends over a three year period. The model was used to examine whether repeated measurements of perceived mattering remained invariant across time for all three referents, what the developmental trajectories looked like, and if the growth trajectories varied between gender groups and living arrangements. Temporal measurement invariance held for all three referents. Growth trajectories showed a significant declining slope for perceived mattering to mother only. Women perceived themselves as mattering to parents and friends more than men. Living arrangements were associated with mattering to friends but not mattering to parents.