Parent and Peer Attachment and Assertiveness in College Students

Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space. Assertiveness can be defined as the ability to express one’s own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in an explicit and appropriate manner, and to show respect for other’s rights while protecting one’s own. The present quantitative study uses a between group design to study the differences between male and female college students with respect to levels of parent attachment, peer attachment and their dimensions (viz., trust, communication and alienation) and assertiveness. The relationship between mother attachment, father attachment, peer attachment and assertiveness was analysed in both the groups using a correlational design. Purposive sampling was used to collect the data from male (N=200) and female (N=200) college students. Inventory for Parent and Peer Attachment and Rathus Assertiveness Schedule was used. Independent t-test results indicated no difference between males and females with respect to parent attachment, peer attachment and assertiveness. Correlation results indicated a significant positive relationship between assertiveness and the dimensions trust and communication of mother attachment. There was a negative correlation between assertiveness and trust of father attachment and a positive correlation between assertiveness and alienation of father attachment. A negative correlation between assertiveness and the dimensions trust and communication of peer attachment and a positive correlation between assertiveness and alienation of peer attachment were also indicated with correlation. Results also revealed difference in the levels of assertiveness among college students having dominant mother, father or peer attachment. The present study reiterates earlier findings on attachment. Assertiveness in college students could help them build their individual character and personality and help in interpersonal interactions.