Perceived Parental Acceptance–Rejection in Childhood Predict Psychological Adjustment and Rejection Sensitivity in Adulthood

Abstract

The present study examined relationships between childhood parental acceptance–rejection and the current psychological adjustment and rejection sensitivity of young adult men and women. The study also explored independent effects of childhood parental acceptance–rejection on the current psychological adjustment and rejection sensitivity of young adult men and women. Data were collected from 514 university students (49% female and 51% male) in Bangladesh. The mean age of the respondents was 22 years with a range of 18 through 26 years. Measures used were Adult version (short form) of the Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire for Mothers and Fathers, the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Adult version of the Personality Assessment Questionnaire. Results revealed significant correlations between remembered maternal and paternal acceptance–rejection in childhood and current psychological adjustment and rejection sensitivity of young adult men and women. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that both maternal and paternal acceptance in childhood have significant independent effects on the current psychological adjustment of both male and female young adults. Results also showed that perceived paternal rejection in childhood has significant independent effects on the rejection sensitivity of both young adult men and women, but perceived maternal rejection in childhood has no significant effects on the rejection sensitivity of young adult men and women.