Recollected Parental Care and Fear of Intimacy in Emerging Adults. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phillips, Tommy M.; Wilmoth, Joe D.; Wall, Sterling K.; Peterson, Donna J.; Buckley, Rhonda; Phillips, Laura E.
• Is Part Of: Family journal. Volume 21:Number 3(2013)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 341
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: fear of intimacy -- romantic relationships -- emerging adulthood -- parent–child relationship; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Marital psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Family counseling -- Periodicals; Marriage counseling -- Periodicals; 616.8915605
• DOI: 10.1177/1066480713476848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-4807

Abstract

Two samples of university students (combined N = 299; mean age = 24.97; 86% female) completed the care subscale of the parental bonding instrument and the Fear of Intimacy scale. Analyses indicated that recollected parental care and fear of intimacy were negatively correlated. Concurrently, it was found that (1) participants who reported having a warm, caring relationship with at least one parent were significantly less likely to suffer from a fear of intimacy and (2) participants who scored low on the measure of fear of intimacy were more likely to have mothers who exhibited high levels of warmth and care. Results supported the proposition that the nature of the parent–child relationship has long-reaching effects on how individuals approach romantic relationships.