The Mediating Role of Perfectionism and the Need for Social Approval in the Effect of Helicopter Parenting on Psychological Well-Being in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Although helicopter parenting first attracted attention in the popular press, it is a concept that has gained empirical support in recent years. The growing literature on this subject has revealed many negative consequences of helicopter parenting. Research on emerging adults has shown that helicopter parenting is associated with negative mental health outcomes. However, this effect can show a complex structure. The structure revealed by helicopter parenting attitude and related factors should be supported by a new study. In line with this information, the mediating role of perfectionism and the need for social approval in the effect of helicopter parenting attitudes in emerging adults on psychological well-being were investigated. The study was carried out on 405 university students (Mean= 21.09, SD= 1.79). The relations between the variables were tested by establishing the Structural Equation Model. According to the research findings, the need for social approval and maladaptive perfectionism played a fully mediating role in the effect of helicopter parenting attitude on psychological well-being. The results revealed that although the helicopter parenting attitude poses a risk to the psychological well-being of emerging adults, this effect occurs indirectly through maladaptive perfectionism and the need for social approval.