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Differential Effects of Perceived Maternal and Paternal Acceptance on Male and Female Adult Offspring’s Psychological Adjustment

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare differential effects of perceived maternal and paternal acceptance of adult sons and adult daughters during childhood on their current psychological adjustment. The sample consisted of 200 young adults (100 males and 100 females) from Bangladesh. Measures used were Adult versions of the Parental Acceptance and Rejection Questionnaire for Mothers and Fathers (Adult PARQ: Mothers and Fathers), and Adult version of the Personality Assessment Questionnaire (Adult PAQ). Results showed that both maternal and paternal acceptance have significant independent effects on adult sons’ psychological adjustment, and only paternal (not maternal) acceptance has significant independent effect on adult daughters’ psychological adjustment. Paternal acceptance accounts for greater variability in adult sons’ and adult daughters’ psychological adjustment than maternal acceptance. Results also showed that parental gender has significant interaction effect on the adult daughters’ (not adult sons’) psychological adjustment. Results further showed that adult daughters reported significantly greater maternal and paternal acceptance and higher psychological adjustment than adult sons.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

    Sabina Sultana

  2. Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA

    Abdul Khaleque

Authors
  1. Sabina Sultana
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  2. Abdul Khaleque
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Correspondence to Abdul Khaleque.

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Sultana, S., Khaleque, A. Differential Effects of Perceived Maternal and Paternal Acceptance on Male and Female Adult Offspring’s Psychological Adjustment. Gend. Issues 33, 42–52 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12147-015-9147-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12147-015-9147-0

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