Parental Rejection Research Articles

대학생이 회상한 부모의 거부적 양육태도가 대인관계문제에 미치는 영향: 거부민감성과 정서표현 양가성의 매개효과

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between parental rejection recalled by undergraduate students, rejection sensitivity, two factors of ambivalence over emotional expression and interpersonal problem. Data were collected from 308 undergraduate students (138 males and 170 females) between the ages of 19 to 25 using a questionnaire method. The data were analyzed using path analysis to examine the pathways through which parental rejection, rejection sensitivity, and ambivalence over emotional expression affect interpersonal problems. The findings of this study are as follows: First, parental rejection had a significant direct effect on interpersonal problem of undergraduate students. Second, parental rejection had significant indirect effects on interpersonal problem through rejection sensitivity. Third, paternal rejection had a significant indirect effect on interpersonal problem through relation-involved ambivalence, while maternal rejection had a significant indirect effect on interpersonal problem through both self-defensive ambivalence and relation-involved ambivalence. Finally, parental rejection had significant indirect effects on interpersonal problem through rejection sensitivity and ambivalence over emotional expression. However, the direction of influence of two factors of ambivalence over emotional expression on interpersonal problem differed, with self-defensive ambivalence having a positive effect and relation-involved ambivalence having a negative effect on interpersonal problem. This study highlights that the importance of parental acceptance and rejection during childhood for interpersonal relationships in emerging adulthood, and showed the possibility of ambivalence over emotional expression as an active suppressive mechanism that may play as an adaptive role in the collectivist context and cultural aspect of South Korea.

Youths with Suicidal Attempts: Their Lived Experiences

This study is delved focusing on the exploration of the lived experiences of the youth with suicidal attempts in Cagayan de Oro City and come up with an intervention program that may help the youth internalize their worth as an individual and encourage one another to eventually cease in committing suicide and make them realize that there are a lot of things life could offer. A transcendental phenomenological approach was used in the study. This study utilized ten (10) research informants who were known and identified as one of the youths who attempted to commit suicide between ages below 15 and 18 years old. It was conducted in Cagayan de Oro City, specifically at Capitol University College of Criminology, Audio Visual Room (AVR). The researcher utilized interview guides in the conduct of the individual personal in-depth interview. Thematic content analysis was used in the treatment of the collected data. The researcher generated four (4) themes from the lived experiences of the informants as youth who attempted to commit suicide, namely: Aloof Personality, Financial Distress, Parental Rejection, and Societal Influence. As to the coping mechanism of the informants from committing and attempting suicide, the latter formulated two (2) themes, namely: Familial Support and Positive Outlook. It was recommended that the government should address the behavioral problems and the importance of family aspects in the country, which are the main causes of the youth engaging in attempted suicide. Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) and City Health Office (CHO) should also formulate programs and wellness assistance like seminars and trainings to the identified youth who were engaged in attempted suicide together with Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), in which it will be conducted to fight and prevent suicide in the country. The government may consider forming a counseling committee that will thoroughly study and eventually apply the “Rebuilding Self-Worth Program” as the study suggests for an Intervention Program. And lastly, for the schools and universities that are offering a Criminology Program, they may also help in giving ways to solve the issue through adapting the concept of training and seminars identified for the youth, which are also applicable for their students who are stressed. They can also create seminars related to juvenile delinquency, human behavior, and victimology, more specifically on the rights of the child and the responsibilities of the parents.

The Role of Parental Qualities in Supporting Children with ADHD

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined assumptions about the role of parenting qualities in predicting child problems. Background: Children with ADHD often experience distress, partially linked to less adaptive parenting practices. Our working assumptions are that: parental mindfulness, insecure parent attachment styles, and parental child rejection have a significant impact upon the severity of child problems and therefore should be addressed in parental training. Methods: A total of 122 Israeli parents (55 fathers (Mage = 43.8; SD = 4.01) and 67 mothers (Mage = 41.6; SD = 4.59)) of 75 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Mage = 8.4; SD = 1.56) completed self-report measures: the Experience of Close Relationships scale (ECR), the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The key finding was that a latent ‘parental rejection/non-warmth’ factor mediated the relationship between (a) parents’ anxious attachment and child behavior problems, and (b) parental mindfulness and child problems. Parental rejection emerged as the strongest predictor of child difficulties. Conclusions: Parental training for parents of children with ADHD should prioritize reducing rejection while also addressing mindfulness and anxious attachment style to promote child well-being. Clinical Trial Registration: Group training for parents whose children suffer from ADHD and comorbidity using a behavioral-dynamic approach (SPBT). Registered at Veeva Vault.

A comparative study on parental rearing styles and competitive attitudes among college students from different family income backgrounds

ObjectiveTo explore the differences in parental rearing styles and competitive attitudes between college students from low-income and non-low-income families. The goal is to provide insights into their holistic development and psychological adaptation in diverse competitive environments.MethodsA total of 1,000 college students were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran questionnaire, and the Competitive Attitude Scale. Among them, 188 were identified as low-income students and 750 as non-low-income students.Results(1) Significant differences were observed between low-income and non-low-income students in parental emotional warmth and understanding, paternal denial and rejection, maternal favoritism, and malignant competitive attitude (p < 0.05). (2) Parental emotional warmth and understanding were positively correlated with benign competitive attitude (p < 0.01). (3) Parental rejection, denial, favoritism, and overprotection were negatively correlated with malignant competitive attitude (p < 0.05). (4) Paternal punishment and strictness were positively correlated with malignant competitive attitude (p < 0.01).ConclusionPositive parental rearing styles enhance the subjective well-being of low-income students and foster benign competitive attitudes, whereas negative parental rearing styles reduce well-being and promote excessive competitive tendencies.

Understanding Perceived Parental Rejection in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, and interpersonal relationship issues. Parental rejection has been a significant psychosocial risk factor influencing the development and severity of BPD symptoms. However, there has been minimal research on this issue in the Bangladeshi cultural setting. Objective: The aim of the study was to understand the nature of perceived parental rejection in Bangladeshi patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Method: A qualitative study was conducted using a grounded theory approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with 22 purposively selected adult participants diagnosed with BPD. Data were analyzed to gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of perceived parental rejection. Results: Data analysis revealed seven categories of perceived parental rejection based on participants’ subjective experiences: authoritarianism, neglect, hostile behavior, lack of acceptance, lack of affection, lack of validation, and lack of protection. These behaviors, though sometimes culturally normalized, were interpreted by participants as emotionally rejecting. Conclusion: The study provides a subtle description of the way individuals with BPD in Bangladesh internalize and assign meaning to parental actions as rejection. The seven categories identified highlight the relational and affective features of rejection as experienced by the participants. They highlight the necessity of cultural sensitivity in clinical assessment and intervention by placing particular emphasis on targeting early relational experiences in BPD treatment..

Disordered eating in young Chinese adults: role of parenting styles, attachment anxiety, and negative coping styles

BackgroundDisordered eating (DE) is prevalent among young adults and poses significant risks to their physical and mental health. Parenting styles have been shown to strongly influence DE. This study investigates the roles of attachment anxiety and negative coping styles as psychological mediators in the relationship between parenting styles and DE among young Chinese adults.MethodA total of 814 university students aged 17–23 (49.0% female, M = 20.05 years, SD = 1.24) from southeastern coastal universities in China participated in this study. Participants completed the short-form Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran for Chinese (EMBU-C, assessing parenting styles), the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Short (ECR-12, measuring attachment anxiety), the Short Form Coping Style Questionnaire (SFCSQ, evaluating negative coping styles), and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26, assessing DE).ResultAttachment anxiety significantly mediated the relationships between parental rejection and DE, with indirect effects of 0.20 (95% CI [0.10, 0.31]) for both paternal and maternal rejection. Similarly, attachment anxiety mediated the relationships between parental overprotection and DE, with indirect effects of 0.13 (95% CI [0.06, 0.21]) for paternal overprotection and 0.12 (95% CI [0.06, 0.20]) for maternal overprotection. Furthermore, attachment anxiety and negative coping styles formed a serial mediation pathway in these relationships, with indirect effects of 0.07 (95% CI [0.03, 0.12]) for both paternal and maternal rejection, 0.05 (95% CI [0.02, 0.08]) for paternal overprotection, and 0.04 (95% CI [0.02, 0.08]) for maternal overprotection.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the complex interplay between parenting styles and DE in young adults, emphasizing the significant roles of attachment anxiety and negative coping styles as mediators. These findings provide valuable insights for developing interventions targeting psychological factors and coping strategies to effectively prevent and address DE in young Chinese adults.

Parental rejection and generalized anxiety disorder in early adolescents: the mediating role of alexithymia.

The aim of this study is to extend our knowledge of the possible association between (maternal and paternal) parental rejection and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms in early adolescence by investigating the possible mediating role of alexithymia. A sample of Italian early adolescents (N = 234; Mage: 11.86, SD = 0.93; 47% male) was recruited from several schools in northwestern Italy. Participants completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire that included information on experience of parental rejection, alexithymia, and GAD symptoms. Our results show an association between parental rejection (both maternal and paternal) and GAD symptoms. Furthermore, the data show that alexithymia tends to mediate the relationship between maternal/paternal rejection and GAD. In this sense, parental rejection is associated with an increase in alexithymic symptoms, which in turn is associated with an increase in GAD symptoms in early adolescents. Limitations of the research and practical implications are discussed.

From home to the screen: How parental rejection fuels cyberbullying in college students.

Previous research has highlighted the impact of family environment on college students' cyberbullying behavior, yet the role of parenting styles, particularly negative ones, remains underexplored. This study, grounded in the interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory and social information processing model, investigates how parental rejection influences cyberbullying behavior among college students through cognitive and emotional mechanisms. We surveyed 1,567 college students (620 males, 947 females; average age: 19.34 ± 1.24 years) from several universities in Shandong and Jilin provinces, China. Participants completed questionnaires assessing cyberbullying, parental rejection, empathy, and moral disengagement. The findings reveal that 456 individuals (29.1%) had engaged in at least one instance of cyberbullying behavior, including 180 males and 276 females. Subsequently, an investigation into the cyberbullying behaviors of these individuals revealed that: (1) parental rejection is a significant predictor of cyberbullying behavior; (2) empathy and moral disengagement serve as partial mediators in the relationship between parental rejection and cyberbullying; (3) both empathy and moral disengagement act as sequential mediators in this relationship. These results underscore the importance of empathy and moral disengagement in understanding the link between parental rejection and cyberbullying among college students, offering a new theoretical perspective for future interventions.

Unveiling the psychological dimensions of myopia progression: Anxiety and perceived parental rearing styles in children and adolescents.

Unveiling the psychological dimensions of myopia progression: Anxiety and perceived parental rearing styles in children and adolescents.

Investigating parental factors that lead to adolescent Internet Gaming Addiction (IGA).

Internet gaming addiction (IGA) has become a common phenomenon that affects adolescents, due to its possible negative effects on physical and mental health issues. However, very few studies have particularly examined the relationship between adolescent game addiction and parental influences. In this study, we address some undesirable parental behaviors and aim to explore whether they influence adolescents' internet gaming behaviors. A total of 315 adolescents who have exposed to Internet games participated in this study. We examined the relationship between four parental factors and the development process examined by the structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques: adolescent Internet gaming addiction (IGA), parental interpersonal conflict (PIC), parental loneliness (PL), parental phubbing (PP), and parental rejection (PR). We proposed nine hypotheses, five of which were supported by the data. The results suggested that parental loneliness leads to parental phubbing and rejection behaviors, as well as enhancing Internet gaming addiction among adolescents. Additionally, parental interpersonal conflict can cause parental loneliness. However, the study found that parental loneliness, parental rejection, and parental interpersonal conflict do not statistically significant impact on adolescents' internet gaming behaviors.

Parenting behaviors and deviant peer affiliation among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of psychological reactance and the moderating role of gender

Given the negative impact of deviant peer affiliation on adolescent behavioral development, understanding its underlying mechanisms is essential. Drawing on social development model, psychological reactance theory and adolescent-limited delinquency theory, this study examined the relationship between parenting behaviors and adolescents’ deviant peer affiliation, as well as the mediating role of reactance and the moderating role of gender. The research involved 1,822 high school students (Mage = 15.28 years, SDage = 2.40) from two provinces in China. All students completed a face-to-face questionnaire administered in a computer room at their respective school. This study found that parental emotional warmth was negatively correlated with adolescent deviant peer affiliation. On the contrary, parental rejection and overprotection were positively correlated with adolescent deviant peer affiliation. Furthermore, the findings indicated that reactance significantly mediated the relationship between parental emotional warmth, rejection, overprotection, and deviant peer affiliation, with reactance fully mediating the relationship between parental overprotection and deviant peer affiliation. Finally, the gender of the adolescent was found to significantly moderate the relationship between parental rejection (β = -0.10, p =.04), emotional warmth (β = 0.16, p =.003) and deviant peer affiliation, although no moderation was observed regarding parental overprotection. These results suggest that various parenting behaviors employ complex mechanisms to influence adolescents’ deviant peer affiliation, with reactance and gender differences playing pivotal roles. This study offers new insights into the mechanisms underlying adolescent deviant peer affiliation and underscores the importance of reducing deviant peer affiliation through interventions targeting reactance and parenting behaviors.

Role of Parental Acceptance-Rejection in Juvenile Delinquent Behaviours

Purpose The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between parental acceptance-rejection and delinquent behaviours.  Research Design/methodology/approach A correlational research design was used to examine the relationship between the variables. A total of 160 juvenile delinquents participated in the study, from the observation homes of Delhi, India. Juvenile delinquents were between 12 and 18 years of age. Parental acceptance and rejection (mother’s form) and self-reported delinquency scale were used to assess the parental acceptance-rejection and delinquent behaviours, respectively.  Findings Results revealed that all the dimensions of parental acceptance-rejection (lack of affection, hostility/aggression, indifference/neglect, undifferentiated rejection) were significantly positively correlated with delinquent behaviours. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that only indifference/neglect and undifferentiated rejection significantly predict delinquent behaviours among juvenile delinquents.  Originality/value Based on the present study, it may conclude that parental rejection and delinquent behaviours are positively correlated and indifference/neglect and undifferentiated rejection had a positive effect on delinquent behaviours among juvenile delinquents.

Subjective well-being and parenting in adolescence: Do peers matter when things are not so good?

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the association between adolescents’ subjective well-being and parenting, as well as the moderating role of peer relationships between the negative aspects of parenting and subjective well-being. Method: Adolescents (n = 331) attending Junior High School and High School (aged 12-18 years) in the broader area of Attica, Greece, participated in the study. Participants completed the Berne Questionnaire of Subjective Well-Being/Youth Form, the 40-item Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran Child Version (EMBU-C) questionnaire (for ages 7–16 years), and the Friendship Quality Scale. Results: There was a positive association between parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ satisfaction, as well as between parental rejection and adolescents’ ill-being. Furthermore, closeness to friends moderated the association between adolescents’ ill-being and rejection by mothers and fathers. Girls and older adolescents had higher scores in the negative factors of subjective well-being, while girls scored higher in all friendship factors. Finally, based on adolescents’ perceptions, mothers had significantly higher scores than fathers in all parenting variables. Conclusions: Findings highlight the significance of the implementation of tailored interventions in schools and families for promoting adolescents’ well-being.

Parenting Style and Smartphone Addiction in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Shyness and Loneliness

Mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles may be important predictors of smartphone addiction. However, some uncertainty still exists about the relationship between these two variables, and few studies to date have investigated the mediating role of both shyness and loneliness in this relationship from the perspective of mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles. To fill these gaps, a total of 1,628 adolescents completed self-report measures of parenting style, shyness, loneliness, and smartphone addiction. The results revealed that parental emotional warmth was negatively correlated with smartphone addiction, whereas parental rejection and over-protection were positively correlated with smartphone addiction. Furthermore, the association between over-protection and shyness was more pronounced for mothers than for fathers. Additionally, shyness and loneliness acted as chain mediators in the relationship between the two parenting styles—emotional warmth and over-protection—and smartphone addiction. These findings underscore the critical roles of shyness and loneliness in mediating the relationship between parenting styles and adolescent smartphone addiction. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms behind the relationship between parenting styles and adolescent smartphone addiction.

How parenting style impacts adolescents’ nomophobia: Basic psychological needs satisfaction and loneliness as mediators

Although previous research has found a close relationship between parenting style and problematic cell phone use among adolescents, the specific link between parenting style and nomophobia has been little explored. In this study we used a cross-sectional design to examine this relationship, focusing on the mediators of adolescents’ basic psychological needs satisfaction and loneliness. Analysis of data obtained in a survey completed by 573 Chinese adolescents revealed a negative relationship between parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ nomophobia, and a positive relationship between both parental rejection and overprotection and nomophobia. Satisfaction of adolescents’ basic psychological needs and loneliness mediated the relationship between parenting style and nomophobia, both individually and sequentially. These findings enhance understanding of the mechanisms linking parenting styles and adolescents’ nomophobia, contributing to the development of intervention programs aimed at reducing symptoms of nomophobia among adolescents.

Memories of Parental Rejection in Childhood and Current Psychological Maladjustment Predict Men's Problems Recognising Facial Expressions of Emotion.

This study investigated whether men's memories of parental rejection in childhood affect their ability to recognise facial expressions of six basic emotions, possibly mediated by their current psychological maladjustment. Participants, including 350 men (Mage = 28.29, SD = 5.69) responded to the mother and father short forms of the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) and the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). They also completed the Facially Expressed Emotion Labelling Test. Results showed that the more rejected the men felt they had been in childhood by their mothers and fathers, and the more psychologically maladjusted they reported themselves to be at the current time, the more difficulty they had correctly identifying facial expressions of emotion. Further, results indicated that perceived maternal and paternal rejection, and psychological maladjustment, each predicted significant variations in the ability of men to recognise different facial expressions of emotion and predicted longer average reaction times to recognise facial expressions of emotions.

Exploring the Relationship Between Aggressive Behavior, Family Parenting Styles, and Self-Esteem Among Only-Child College Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The prevalence of aggressive behavior among adolescents in higher education settings, particularly within the unique context of China's one-child policy, has become an increasingly significant issue. This study aims to elucidate the interplay between aggressive behaviors, parenting styles, and self-esteem among college students who are only children. Conducted as a cross-sectional study from September 2022 to September 2023, the research involved a sample of students from four higher education institutions in Anhui Province, employing a convenience sampling method stratified by year of study and academic major. A total of 5,700 college students participated, with 5,431 valid responses obtained, resulting in a 95.28% validity rate. The average age of the participants was 19.16 ± 1.1 years, with 50.19% male and 49.81% female. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), a revised Chinese version of the short Egan's Memories of Parents' Education (s-EMBU) questionnaire, and the French version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (R-SES) were utilized to assess levels of aggression, parental styles, and self-esteem, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS26.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro. The findings revealed that only children exhibited significantly higher levels of physical aggression (19.26±5.33 vs 18.41±4.87, p < 0.001) and hostility (18.64±5.68 vs 18.30±5.33, p = 0.046) compared to their non-only child peers. Regression analysis showed that both paternal (β = 0.670, p = 0.004) and maternal rejection (β = 1.095, p < 0.001) positively predicted aggressive behavior, while self-esteem negatively correlated with aggression (β = -0.375, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that self-esteem partially mediated the relationship between parental rejection and aggression, accounting for 6.90% and 6.54% of the variance in paternal and maternal rejection, respectively. This suggests that self-esteem nurturing may be a potential strategy to reduce aggression among only-child college students. The study concludes that nurturing self-esteem among only-child college students in China may be a pivotal strategy in curbing aggressive behaviors, underscoring the necessity to comprehend the intricate relationship between parenting styles, self-esteem, and aggression. The insights gained from this research are instrumental in enhancing social cohesion by addressing the distinctive needs of this demographic.

Different parental rearing behaviors and depressive symptoms of adolescents: Roles of psychological insecurity and core self-evaluations

Depression is the second most common mental disorder among adolescents worldwide. From the perspectives of emotional security theory and interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory, parental rearing behaviors impact adolescents’ depressive symptoms. The current study aims to uncover the underlying relationship mechanisms between different parental rearing behaviors and depressive symptoms. A sample of 372 junior high school students participated in this study. The results indicated that parental rejection and overprotection were associated with psychological insecurity and depressive symptoms, and parental emotional warmth was positively related to core self-evaluations. Paternal rejection had a more substantial impact on the lower distribution of depressive symptoms scores in the 25th percentile, while maternal rejection was significantly related to depressive symptoms in the 50th and 75th percentiles. Adolescents’ depressive symptoms were reduced when they had more paternal and maternal emotional warmth. Indirect effects of parenting behavior on depressive symptoms through core self-evaluations and psychological insecurity were found. Adolescents with higher levels of parental emotional warmth reported lower levels of psychological insecurity, which was related to higher levels of core self-evaluations; moreover, core self-evaluations were negatively related to depressive symptoms.

Parental Rejection as a Developmental Vulnerability Factor for Mood Symptoms in Young Adulthood

Parental Rejection as a Developmental Vulnerability Factor for Mood Symptoms in Young Adulthood

Factors associated with children’s attachment hierarchy in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parent families through assisted reproduction

With few exceptions, previous studies of children’s identification and hierarchy of attachment figures have involved only children born to heterosexual parents through unassisted conception, recognizing mothers as the primary attachment figures. Further research into diverse families may help to disentangle parents’ attachment role from their gender, sexual orientation, and biological relatedness to children. The present study aimed at exploring whether differences in children’s choice of primary attachment figure could be explained by parents’ gender, biological status, attachment state of mind, reflective functioning, parenting quality, or by the child’s gender, across diverse family types. In total, 152 parents (i.e., 60 lesbian mothers through donor insemination, 50 gay fathers through surrogacy, 42 heterosexual parents through gamete donation) and their 76 school-aged children participated in the study. Children were interviewed about their choice of attachment figure in different situations. Parents completed questionnaires about parenting stress, parental rejection, parent–child relational efficacy, and parent positivity; and were administered the Adult Attachment Interview as a measure of their attachment state of mind and reflective functioning. Overall, no significant differences emerged between mothers and fathers or between biological and non-biological parents for children’s choice of primary attachment figure. However, fathers with higher RF were more likely to be identified as a primary attachment figure, and gay fathers who demonstrated less parental rejection were more likely to be chosen as a primary attachment figure. The findings provide important insights for social policies aimed at promoting preventive parenting interventions targeting the child–parent attachment bond in diverse families.