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Psychological maladjustment mediates the relation between recollections of parental rejection in childhood and adults’ fear of intimacy in Italy

Publication ,  Journal Article
Senese, VP; Miranda, MC; Lansford, JE; Bacchini, D; Nasti, C; Rohner, RP
Published in: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
June 1, 2020

Grounded in interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory, this study examined the relation between recollections of parental rejection during childhood and fear of intimacy (FOI) in adulthood, as mediated by adults’ psychological maladjustment. In Study 1, the Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS) was adapted for use in Italy. Its psychometric properties were investigated in a sample of 635 adults (51% women; 18–35 years). Confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and measurement invariance analysis showed that the Italian version of the FIS is a valid, reliable, and gender invariant scale. In Study 2, the relations among adults’ recollections of maternal and paternal rejection in childhood, current psychological maladjustment, and self-reported general FOI were investigated in a sample of 360 Italian adults (51% women; 18–35 years). Path analysis showed that the association between recollections of parental rejection during childhood and FOI in adulthood is fully mediated by psychological maladjustment, particularly emotional unresponsiveness, negative self-esteem, and dependency. This model was not moderated by gender. These results provide useful indications for the design of interventions aimed at reducing FOI.

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Published In

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

DOI

EISSN

1460-3608

ISSN

0265-4075

Publication Date

June 1, 2020

Volume

37

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1968 / 1990

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1701 Psychology
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Senese, V. P., Miranda, M. C., Lansford, J. E., Bacchini, D., Nasti, C., & Rohner, R. P. (2020). Psychological maladjustment mediates the relation between recollections of parental rejection in childhood and adults’ fear of intimacy in Italy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(6), 1968–1990. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520912339
Senese, V. P., M. C. Miranda, J. E. Lansford, D. Bacchini, C. Nasti, and R. P. Rohner. “Psychological maladjustment mediates the relation between recollections of parental rejection in childhood and adults’ fear of intimacy in Italy.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 37, no. 6 (June 1, 2020): 1968–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520912339.
Senese VP, Miranda MC, Lansford JE, Bacchini D, Nasti C, Rohner RP. Psychological maladjustment mediates the relation between recollections of parental rejection in childhood and adults’ fear of intimacy in Italy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 2020 Jun 1;37(6):1968–90.
Senese, V. P., et al. “Psychological maladjustment mediates the relation between recollections of parental rejection in childhood and adults’ fear of intimacy in Italy.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, vol. 37, no. 6, June 2020, pp. 1968–90. Scopus, doi:10.1177/0265407520912339.
Senese VP, Miranda MC, Lansford JE, Bacchini D, Nasti C, Rohner RP. Psychological maladjustment mediates the relation between recollections of parental rejection in childhood and adults’ fear of intimacy in Italy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 2020 Jun 1;37(6):1968–1990.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

DOI

EISSN

1460-3608

ISSN

0265-4075

Publication Date

June 1, 2020

Volume

37

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1968 / 1990

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1701 Psychology