Relationship among Perceived Parenting Styles, Self-Concept, and Fear of Intimacy: A Correlational Study

The research is directed at exploring relationships among parenting styles, self-concept, and fear of intimacy in the future, among young and older adults. In this study, 186 young adults’ between the ages 18-35 years reported parenting approaches, self-concept, and intimacy fear were compared. Correlational design was used in the study to look into possible relationships, building on the model of the Perceived Parenting Style Scale (PPSS), Self-Concept Questionnaire (SCQ), and Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS) which are important for psychological health. Good parenting practices, a stable sense of self, and an openness to closeness are all factors in the development of good relationships and emotional adjustment. A mathematically significant positive connection (p <.01) was found between these constructs. This implies that young adults who believe they had a caring and supportive upbringing may have a healthier opinion of themselves and experience less intimacy fear, which will ultimately promote improved psychological health.  Nevertheless, restrictions like sample size and correlational design are noted, emphasizing the necessity for additional studies with a bigger and more varied sample to confirm these findings.