Perceived Paternal Acceptance-Rejection as a Mediator of the Association Between Perceived Maternal Acceptance-Rejection and Psychological Adjustment: Effect of Gender

Abstract

The present study explores the mediating role of perceived paternal acceptance-rejection on the association between perceived maternal acceptance-rejection and psychological adjustment and its gender-related facets among 551 secondary school students aged 11 to 15. Results suggest paternal acceptance-rejection partially mediates this relationship for both genders, impacting positive self-adequacy, emotional responsiveness, and positive worldview. It partially mediates hostility and emotional stability for females and fully mediates for males. However, it does not affect self-esteem for either gender.

Keywords

• Interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory
• maternal acceptance-rejection
• paternal acceptance-rejection
• psychological adjustment
• gender

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