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"I will guide you" The indirect link between overparenting and young adults' adjustment
1Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel.
Psychiatry Research
|June 9, 2015
Summary
Overparenting by fathers directly impacts young adults' adjustment, mediated by attachment anxiety and perceived control. Maternal overparenting affects interpersonal sensitivity, especially in males. These findings highlight parenting
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Family dynamics significantly influence young adult adjustment.
- Overparenting is a growing concern with potential negative impacts on offspring.
- Understanding the interplay between parenting styles and young adult psychopathology is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between overparenting and young adults' adjustment (distress, interpersonal sensitivity).
- To investigate the mediating roles of attachment, perceived parental control, and boundary diffusion.
- To explore the influence of parental and young adult gender on these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 89 Jewish-Israeli intact families via questionnaires.
- Assessed direct and indirect effects of overparenting.
- Analyzed associations considering parental and young adult gender.
Main Results:
- Fathers' overparenting showed a direct negative association with young adult adjustment.
- This association was partially mediated by young adults' attachment anxiety and perceived parental control.
- Mothers' overparenting was linked to reduced interpersonal sensitivity in males and those with lower perceived parental control.
Conclusions:
- Parenting styles, particularly overparenting, significantly impact young adult adjustment and mental health.
- Young adults' relational characteristics mediate the effects of overparenting.
- Clinicians should consider overparenting when addressing psychopathology risk in young adults.
Keywords:
AttachmentBoundaries diffusionDistressInterpersonal sensitivityMothers and fathersPsychological controlMore Related Videos
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